Former Congressman Van Hilleary said he is dismayed by huge recent outlays in Congress.
"We are seeing our country disappear before our eyes," he told the Chattanooga Pachyderm Club.
Mr. Hilleary, who has moved from Spring City to Murfreesboro, said the most disturbing development has been the Cap and Trade Bill. "It will raise the price of everything in this country," he said.
He said it will put the U.S. at a further competitive disadvantage with countries like China and India "who would never pass something like this."
Mr. Hilleary also said he is concerned that the Obama administration will push through a very expensive healthcare bill.
He said, "Once it is passed, it will create its own constituency, and you will never be able to undo it."
He noted that he was elected along with Zach Wamp and others at a time "when the Democrats were the crooks."
He said that freshman class with its Contract With America had some strong achievements, but then lost its way.
The speaker said the new Congressional Republicans began spending more weekends in Washington, taking PAC money and making compromises to gain coveted committee assignments.
He said he did keep his two campaign promises of not staying in office more than 12 years and not accepting PAC money.
He told the club he lost a race for governor because he could not match the fund-raising prowess of Phil Bredesen. "We ran out of money," he said.
He said he and his wife, Meredith, got a late start, but they now have three daughters. He said a fourth child is on the way.