Something’s out of balance

Thu., Feb. 11, 2010

The Spokesman-Review

It is interesting to note in Gary Crooks’ comments (Smart Bombs, Feb. 3) that it is again a Republican touting a balanced budget amendment for the U.S. Constitution.

I believe the proof should be in the pudding, not in the babble. President Reagan always talked about such an amendment, yet did not submit a budget that was less than $100 billion deficit. I would urge readers to take about 60 minutes and go to http://www.treasury direct.gov/govt/reports/pd/histdebt /histdebt.htm and, beginning with JFK, compute U.S. debt accumulated under Democratic presidents and under Republican presidents until Jan. 20, 2009.

Republicans own 84.7 percent ($9.461 trillion) and Democrats 15.3 percent ($1.777 trillion) of our national debt accumulated over that period of time. Please don’t take my word for it. Do the fifth grade math for yourself.

Bob Carver

Moscow, Idaho

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