Thread: Who created politicians who created debt? Voters did.

Who created politicians who created debt? Voters did.

The USA TODAY cover story "A soaring debt, and painful choices" was very informative and well-written (News, Tuesday). Politicians are monstrous liars. Worse yet are the voters who create them. We vote for people who promise to lower taxes and increase social services. We re-elect them if they succeed in accomplishing those two tasks, and then we ignore the debt they create.

We sweep the debt under the rug as if our unrealistic expectations had nothing to do with it. So, here we are, voters and politicians skipping and holding hands while staring into one another's eyes, not noticing the cliff we're about to fall off. We might be too obsessed with each other to be stopped.

Even on the way down, we're unlikely to vote for someone who is fiscally responsible. When we hit bottom, we'll simply vote for the next liar who tells us what we want to hear, assuming we survive the fall.

Roger Sargent; Albion, Pa.
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Spending needed now

Reading your article "A soaring debt, and painful choices," I was surprised by the statement that the only solutions are "tax increases and major reductions in Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security."

There is an even more significant, and probably necessary, solution: We need to end the recession and lower unemployment.

In the short run, our efforts to turn the economy around increase the deficit, but in the long run, this is money well-spent. Without the Troubled Asset Relief Program and the economic stimulus package, we'd be in a depression now with little hope of recovery for decades.

David B. Freeman; Chapel Hill, N.C.
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Tough choices

With respect to your article, one does not need to be a Ph.D. to understand simple facts: In order to have a balanced budget, revenues have to meet or exceed expenditures.

According to the chart that accompanied your article on the nation's debt, except for the New Deal and the beginning of President Obama's term, the largest overspending in the past 60 years has been during two Republican administrations.

One cause was the defense buildup in the 1980s; another was reducing taxes while not equally reducing spending in the 2000s. The "Tea Party" appears to be following the same agenda. Tough choices are ahead, but spending must not exceed receipts.

Daniel A. Cotter; Chicago
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Leave Social Security as is

USA TODAY's article on the debt included a proposal to reduce future Social Security benefits for people younger than 55 as a solution to reducing the national debt.

Although a cost-saving method, this would create issues for a large percentage of the population. And, it seems, those who caused the problem in the first place get to continue with their current coverage. If anything, Social Security benefits should be cut across the board or, better yet, cut for those of us older than 55. Since this is not a politically viable option, as much of Congress would lose benefits, we must look elsewhere.

Although Social Security is in need of a fix, options such as debt forgiveness and an increase in taxes across all income levels should be considered instead. We all should be part of the solution.

Patrick Rose; South Windsor, Conn.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/le ... 6_ST_N.htm

Yes we all have to be part of the solution, and while the common people are willing, the politicians are refusing to cooperate. Our point of view that we do not need more art in the parks, bridges to nowhere or teapot museums will be expressed at the ballot box.