About TRIM

TRIM is a non-political nationwide network of educational committees and individuals organized to reduce out-of-control federal spending. TRIM seeks lower taxes and less government by influencing the U.S. House of Representatives -- which controls federal spending -- through voter education. The TRIM Bulletin, published three times a year,  is available for each of the 435 House members and contains a report card on the congressman's votes on recent major spending bills.  Millions of these bulletins have been distributed nationwide in recent years -- with dramatic results.

TRIM Talks

Q. Please give an overview of TRIM and its activities.

A. In 1958, Robert Welch made a two-day presentation -- later to be published as The Blue Book -- to a small group of friends. This meeting culminated in the founding of the John Birch Society. A key point made by Mr. Welch at that founding meeting was: "The increasing quantity of government, in all nations, has constituted the greatest tragedy of the twentieth century." As a keen student of history, he recognized that "government is always and inevitably an enemy of individual freedom." And so, to battle the burgeoning federal bureaucracy and its "inevitable" encroachments on our liberties, Mr. Welch, in 1974, created TRIM. The only strategy that offered hope of success was to zero in on the constitutionally-mandated control of the nation's purse strings by the House of Representatives. If enough congressmen would withhold funding of unconstitutional big government, it could not grow; it would, in fact, eventually be cut back to within proper limits.

Through TRIM, an educational program is carried out with the goal of creating an informed electorate. We are organized by congressional district: The local committees publish a bulletin, distribute educational literature, sponsor Trim Bulletins, speakers -- all focused on raising the level of understanding within their district.

Q. How do you define an "informed electorate"?

A. We mean a citizenry that understands the proper role of government, especially the limitations placed on the power of the federal government by the Constitution. Another, less scholarly kind of understanding is also promoted: the voting record of your representative on recent major unconstitutional or excessive spending legislation and how much those votes cost -- or saved -- your household.

Our TRIM bulletin, published three times per year, presents this voting record along with information on the growth and cost of government. A taxpayer informed at these two levels isn't likely to stand on the sidelines and send a big-spending congressman back to Washington again and again. But we leave that decision up to the voter. TRIM does not involve itself in partisan politics; we are confident that good people, when given the facts, will act responsibly.

Q. So you publish 435 individualized versions of the TRIM Bulletin three times every year?

A.  Yes. And we rate all congressmen on the same exact votes without regard for partisanship. When representatives vote for a bill containing large sums of unconstitutional spending, we count that as a vote for high taxes and big government. When they vote against unconstitutional spending or for spending cuts, we count that as a vote for lower taxes and less government. We constantly remind our readers that their congressman swears an oath to uphold the Constitution and that voters should bring pressure to bear upon their congressman to uphold that oath.

Q.  Do any congressmen complain about TRIM's vote reporting?

A.  Constituents send us lots of letters from congressmen who complain about TRIM "report cards." They frequently say that we picked the "wrong" votes -- as if how they voted on other legislation somehow changed how they voted on the legislation in question. Most complaining congressmen trot out their awards from the National Taxpayers' Union or some other supposed watchdog group to "prove" they are friends of the taxpayer. But TRIM has set a standard -- the Constitution. We reject the excuse congressmen give of the partisan pressures they are under to compromise principles. The Constitution gives politicians very little room to wheel and deal. We hope they'll look in the mirror, realize what's at stake, recommit to their oath, and put principle before party.

Q. Opinion polls suggest that the public is very critical of Congress as a body, but happy with their own representatives. Isn't the reelection rate at least 95 percent?

A. It's ironic, but true! They just can't get beyond the broad smile and friendly handshake of their local politician and his PR machine. They know that there is a big mess in Washington but can't imagine that their representative might be playing a significant part in its creation and nurturing! That's where TRIM comes in. We provide meaningful measures of performance that cut through the rhetoric and expose the big spenders to their constituents.

Q. What effect has that exposure had on their reelection?

A. Over the years, our educational-informational approach has been a significant factor in voters choosing to replace an incumbent if his record was one of voting for high taxes and big government. In several cases, the rejected congressman actually blamed TRIM for his defeat. Even when there was not a change of congressman, we are confident that the incumbent has proceeded more cautiously with his voting on spending measures if a TRIM committee was active in his district.

The late congressman from Georgia, Larry McDonald, related that a number of House members would sidle up and ask whether or not an upcoming vote was going to be on the next TRIM bulletin! They surmised that Dr. McDonald, as a member of the National Council of the John Birch Society, would have some inside information on TRIM's selection of votes! He didn't. He would routinely smile and suggest that his concerned colleague vote for less government and lower taxes just to be on the safe side! Yes, TRIM makes a difference.

Q. Why have so many members of Congress ceased to represent the interests of their constituents?

A. The pressures and temptations of Washington are more than all but the most principled can withstand. A recent Reader's Digest article described "an iron triangle" composed of the entrenched federal bureaucracy, the special-interest lobbies, and the congressional committee staffers that, in concert, stymie all attempts by conscientious congressmen to represent the taxpayer. If you fail to support pork barrel projects in another district -- especially a committee chairman's -- expect your district to suffer for it. And you'll be ostracized socially. It's much easier to go with the flow, reap the special-interest rewards, and forget those poor saps back in the district.

Q. So it's no wonder there is a growing clamor to limit the number of terms a congressman and senator can serve. What is TRIM's position on term limits?

A. If tossing the rascals out would assure their replacement with a better bunch, it might be a good idea. But there is no shortage of new rascals drawn to the high pay and bright lights of DC. And the arbitrary limit would also toss out the small, but valiant band of representatives and senators who still go to bat for the taxpayers. Because it is such an appealing idea, the powerful groups that are promoting a constitutional convention -- where drastic changes would be made to the Constitution- are hitching their wagon to the term-limits bandwagon. A frustrated public, sick of a Congress that refuses to control spending, wants action -- whether it's a solution or not. The only real answer is for an informed electorate to march to the polls every two years and decide at that time whether or not to "limit" the incumbent's terms. If representative government is to survive, there can be no artificial substitute for a vigilant, knowledgeable citizenry.

Source:    Excerpts from April 23, 1991 and January 6, 1997 issues of THE NEW AMERICAN