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CONSCIENCE OF THE TAXPAYERS.(ISSUES & INSIGHTS)(EDITORIALS)
News reports of Texas Republican Phil Gramm's retirement from the Senate predictably have focused on control of that chamber. While that's important, we find it more significant that the Senate is losing its only trained economist.
The rest of the media don't seem to share our concern. We suppose they're saving their so-sorry-to-see-you-go tributes for the retirement of the several lawmakers who have been hailed the Conscience of the Senate -- usually for redistributing wealth.
What else should we expect? We're well aware that the media lionize the feel-good politicians who piously proclaim they're for the little guy while enlarging the grasp of government. Far less acclaim goes to sober thinkers like Gramm.
The plain talk of Gramm can sound downright malicious. When he scolds the government for taking money from one group of Americans to give to another, that's proof certain to his critics that Gramm is among the mean folks who make life so hard for all the rest.
Gramm's "mean streak" is rooted in his days as a Democrat. In 1981, while a member of the House Budget Committee, the Texan co-sponsored the Gramm-Latta resolution to shepherd President Reagan's budget through Congress.
Having no heart for heartless men who would cut federal spending, the Democrats kicked ...
- Dicky Flatt's not-so-simple test.(Senator Phil Gramm's everyman)
- Magazine article from: U.S. News & World Report McGraw, Dan April 3, 1995 700+ words
...for the nation. When Gramm talks of cutting government...every program to the "Dicky Flatt Test": Is middle...from Washington? For Gramm and Flatt, the answer...resounding "No." But the Dicky Flatt Test isn't as simple...
- Gramm a leader, a maverick and a force in Washington.(The Dallas Morning News)
- Newspaper article from: Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service Barta, Carolyn Gillman, Todd J. September 4, 2001 700+ words
...effective." In the Senate, Gramm has been a dogged advocate...paying Texan _ like Dicky Flatt of Mexia, a print shop...s Everyman muse, and Gramm invoked him, as usual...Tuesday's announcement. Dicky Flatt and "my mama" became...mantras over the years that Gramm's last ...
- Sen. Gramm Announces Presidential Bid;Texas Republican Promises Conservative...
- Newspaper article from: The Washington Post Dan Balz February 25, 1995 700+ words
...I get the job done." Gramm was introduced today by Dicky Flatt, a printer from Mexia, Tex., and a longtime Gramm constituent. Gramm said he would subject all government programs to "the Dicky Flatt test" -- Is it worth...
- Gramm puts an end _ perhaps only temporarily _ to an influential career.
- Newspaper article from: Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service Recio, Maria December 13, 2002 700+ words
...was no better symbol of Gramm's conservative populism than Dicky Flatt _ the Mexia, Texas, printer...come to learn all about Gramm's "Mama" and more than he ever wanted to know about Dicky Flatt. Gramm quoted Flatt so often that...
- Newest coin of the realm: a Gramm of dough
- Newspaper article from: The Boston Globe David Nyhan, Globe Staff February 26, 1995 700+ words
...at Disney World. Texas voters hear a lot from Gramm about the so-called "Dicky Flatt test." Flatt is a small businessman in Limestone...to be spending tax money on such-and-such. Gramm does not mention, as The Wall Street Journal discovered...
- GRAMM GOES BACK TO TEXAS TO BEGIN NATIONAL CAMPAIGN THE THEME OF HIS FIRST DAY:...
- Newspaper article from: Albany Times Union (Albany, NY) February 25, 1995 700+ words
...President Clinton four times. Gramm said he is running for president...overwhelmed by them,'' he said. Gramm renewed his pledge not to seek...program to what he called the ``Dicky Flatt test,'' in honor of the...stand up to that test,'' Gramm said. At a news conference...
- Our Splendid Cuss: The likable Phil Gramm.
- Magazine article from: National Review NORDLINGER, JAY October 1, 2001 700+ words
...part of his singularity. The Gramm story is oft told, but worth...stricken circumstances. Young Gramm was held back from several...There he met the printer Dicky Flatt, who would become his emblem...needed to get and stay off. Gramm's message that day was his...
- The senator/professor: Phil Gramm has put his expertise to good use.(Knight...
- Newspaper article from: Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service September 5, 2001 700+ words
...history as the first half of Gramm-Rudman, the deficit reduction...acrobatics to skirt the law, Sen. Gramm's efforts made the public...anecdotes about his Texas friend Dicky Flatt, he educated the country...senator to deal with than Phil Gramm. He is smart, understands...