to the editor: In her op-ed, writer Véronique de Rugy chastises the United States for its irresponsible fiscal policies and legislative priorities that have led our country to the dangerous “new normal of chronic budget deficits” (“The three forces fueling America's 45-year debt addiction,” October 30).
In reaching his conclusion, he ignores some important facts, including that a form of national debt was lowered during Bill Clinton's presidencya period in which four consecutive budget surpluses were recorded between 1998 and 2001. Public debt decreased by more than $450 billion. debt/GDP ratio fell and the deficit was reduced. All of this was driven by reduced military spending, a surging economy that led to higher tax revenues, and tax increases implemented as part of Clinton's tax plan.
De Rugy also ignores two global events that required the implementation of unique, albeit costly (and hopefully not continually repeated) response actions that led to a substantial increase in debt: the financial collapse of the late 2000s and the pandemic that followed approximately 10 years later. Beyond these important omissions, I think he also underestimates the damage caused by Republicans' propensity to provide substantial tax cuts to the wealthy without offsetting spending cuts.
Yes, we are seeing a dangerous trend, but one that can be better understood by considering other causes ignored in this op-ed and managed more effectively, as we saw in the Clinton years.
David W. Steuber, Laguna Beach
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to the editor: De Rugy suggests that the explosion of federal debt is “the direct result of reckless promises to retirees, the cost of health care, and an unwillingness to pay bills honestly.”
In exchange for paying monthly Social Security and Medicare contributions for 42 years of work, I was promised basic health care and a modest monthly payment after retirement. Was this a reckless promise? Opinions may differ on this, but it was a promise.
I would suggest that Congress is recklessly breaking that promise by refusing to fund those programs. It was certainly reckless of me to believe that that promise would be fulfilled.
Barry Heller, Rolling Hills Properties
