With the country in a financial deficit year after year, Brian Walter of Kingfisher believes the nation will fail if unsustainable spending continues.

Walter was inspired by now retired U.S. Senator Dr. Tom Coburn and his vigorous and continual battle against government waste and deficit spending.

Walter began corresponding with Coburn on the phone and via email.

“Coburn has core principles that he will not waiver from,” said Walter. “Just for fun, I decided to ask him if he would like to meet me in Tulsa to talk over a cup of coffee.”

The two met in November 2016 and that was the beginning of a series of meetings that resulted in the formation of “Unity Above Self in America.”

Walter read Coburn’s book, Smashing the DC Monopoly, and said it completely changed his life.

In the book, Coburn says it is not a matter of “if,” but a matter of “when” the U.S. will fail economically.

According to Walter, Coburn challenged him to take over and lead the fight for a balanced budget.

Now, Walter said he is challenging patriots, or “people who are willing to put the common good above their own needs” to join the effort to have members of Congress co-sponsor Senate Bill 39 and HR 129, the “No Budget, No Pay Act” to forgo pay if no budget is agreed upon prior to Oct. 1 of each fiscal year.

“[Reducing] national debt, in my opinion, should be our nation’s number one priority,” said Walter.

He added that the salaries received by those in Congress are provided on account of their election, not based on the work they complete.

“If you look at their financial incentive, it is to get elected or re-elected,” said Walter.

Walter said he believes this exacerbates the spending problem by encouraging representatives to respond in ways that are pleasing to the people with the choice to re-elect them, instead of working for the common good of the nation.

“Morally, they shouldn’t be taking the money when they haven’t done their job,” he said. “We started at home with Rep. Frank Lucas.”

Lucas co-sponsored HR 129 on May 10.

Walter has also reached out to Rep. Tom Cole, but has not yet received a response.

“This isn’t an issue between Democrats and Republicans but an issue with greed, making it a biblical issue,” said Walter. “The people must drive a moral response from our leaders by showing them that we want change. No matter how it came about, it is now our problem. We own it. We must fix it ourselves, or our nation will surely fail.”

Walter said one way people can demand that change is through Unity Above Self in America. The goal is to spread Coburn’s message and encourage members of Congress to agree to forgo pay.

Unity Above Self in America has obtained 501(c)(3) status and raised $15,000 which will all be used on newspaper advertisements, according to Walter.

“We are seeking patriots among citizens,” said Walter. “The best things you can do to help the cause are to pray and to educate yourself. Read Coburn’s book and watch the YouTube video entitled, ‘Seeking Patriots to Solve the National Debt.’ You can also donate time to spread the message.”

Walter added that he does not expect an overnight solution.

“This is just the first step. We are trying to bend the curve. It won’t happen overnight,” he said.

“First you pass a budget each year without causing a state of emergency.

“Then you pass a budget that is financially responsible.

“Then you balance the budget.

“Then you eliminate the debt entirely.”