Solutions elude incumbents

Concerning the Jan. 27 article “Senate scotches deficit panel,” this federal deficit panel would have required Congress to accept or reject the commission’s recommendations without making changes, a provision designed to prevent lawmakers from dodging the most politically risky proposals.

This is just a further indication that our federal elected officials have no intention of dealing with the federal budgetary deficits or federal debt. President Obama’s recent 2010 budget proposal includes a $1.6 trillion deficit. Federal deficits are projected just as high for 2011 and 2012. In just four years, President Obama will add almost $5 trillion to the federal debt, which will stand at almost $17 trillion.

By that time, Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare may be running deficits as well. If our elected officials cannot deal with the federal debt at $12 trillion, how will they deal with the problem at $17 trillion?

These deficits debase our currency, put us into debt with China, Russia and the Arab oil sheiks, turning us into debt slaves. Our elected officials are incapable of dealing with our nation’s crucial problems. This November, U.S. voters can vote out both the Democrats and Republicans.

Mark Johnson

Nine Mile Falls