Letter Of The Day

today's winner comes from a town just south of where i am.

In a Sept. 21 Register story about Social Security, Sen. Charles Grassley said, "I'm the guy saddled with the responsibility of saving Social Security for our grandchildren." Senator Grassley, your responsibility is much broader than that. It includes saving America's entire economy for our grandchildren.

The Iraq war and Hurricane Katrina go on our national credit card. A prescription-drug bill and massive spending on pork projects slide through Congress despite record deficits. Interest payments to Japan, China and other lenders climb steadily upward. Wages are stagnant. Energy and health costs soar. Our ability to compete in a global economy seems to be eroding.

Meanwhile, Congress will continue to negotiate over tax cuts.

My simple brain just can't grasp the concept of cutting taxes while increasing spending. It keeps telling me that if you cut revenue you must cut spending. I have a credit card, too, but it will eventually max out. You can't spend what you don't have, at least not for very long.

Yet Congress continues to spend and ignores deficits while promoting even more tax cuts. I wish they'd explain this trick to America's household budgeters, farmers, businessmen and others who have to pay bills at the end of the month. And to my grandchildren.

-Dick Heimer, Sheffield.
--source