Letters: Tough measures needed to reduce the U.S. deficit
There is little question that the long-term trends in the federal budget are unsustainable, that the deficit must be reduced, and that the resulting debt must be held at a reasonable level. However, most of the efforts so far have only amounted to dabbling around the edges.
There is little question that the long-term trends in the federal budget are unsustainable, that the deficit must be reduced, and that the resulting debt must be held at a reasonable level. However, most of the efforts so far have only amounted to dabbling around the edges.
If you believe that the problem can be solved by eliminating waste and curtailing discretionary domestic spending, then you are probably a candidate for a course in remedial arithmetic. It is also going to require significant cuts in defense spending, tax increases, and major adjustments to entitlement programs. The Republicans will balk at the first two courses of action, and the Democrats the last.
Polls indicate that the public trusts Republicans more in matters of fiscal responsibility, but the record does not support this. About 45 percent of the current debt of $13.4 trillion was added during President George W. Bush's two terms, compared with 10 percent for Bill Clinton, and he actually managed to produce a budget surplus before he left office.
Even Ronald Reagan, despite running on a platform that called for a balanced budget in three years, added debt that was almost twice the amount added by all previous presidents put together.
John A. Dawson
Bala Cynwyd