Gang must ride again

Your recent articles on the gang of six, despite the defection of Sen. Coburn, attempting to reach a bipartisan compromise to resolve the budget deficit, give me some hope there may be a light at the end of the tunnel. One thing for certain is that we’ll not reach a solution by either tax cuts alone or stimulating the economy.

The much-discussed Ryan budget doesn’t begin to eliminate the deficit and is based on unrealistic assumptions regarding tax reductions. If anyone thinks the tax reductions of 1981 and 2001 stimulated the economy, do a little research and check how it performed (gross domestic product, unemployment, etc.) in 1982 and 2002.

What will be necessary is a combination of expenditure reductions and tax reform that will close loopholes and possibly reduce rates at the same time, similar to what the deficit reduction committee proposed. It must prevent many individuals and companies from completely evading taxes. Sorry, General Electric.

It will require sacrifice from everyone, and Congress putting the good of the country ahead of partisanship and getting re-elected. Wow, did I really say that? Or we can continue as we have the past 30 years and the clock will continue clicking.

Bob Seamons

Spokane Valley