Stinginess isn’t exceptionalism

We have a military (over half our total budget) larger than the rest of the world combined. We have a collapsing national infrastructure. We have uncompetitive, overtasked schools. We have more people living in poverty than ever before. We have a shrinking middle class. We have the largest concentration of wealth and income with the rich since the turn of the century. We have record multinational profits. We have record deficits. Is this American exceptionalism?

Taxes are at their lowest since the 1950s, and still many demand nothing but tax and budget cuts when government is approximately 40 percent of GDP. Government spending is the only thing that has averted a worse depression.

Simplistic, antigovernment philosophies irresponsibly play economic chicken with our future as a caring, competitive and democratic nation. Overzealous ideologies have divided us with self-deceptions, greed and fear.

We must open our minds and face facts. We’re all accountable for our precarious state. We need to put this great nation back on course with fairness, involvement, honesty and shared sacrifice. Effective solutions will be found when we truly come together; all races, parties, incomes and faiths, with trust and inclusion, the American way – our true American exceptionalism.

Michael Quick

Newport, Wash.