Need budget flexibility

In the so-called debate about the debt ceiling and deficit, Republicans continually try to draw analogies between the federal government and individual household budgets, saying that we can’t continue to spend beyond our means.

The problem with the analogy is that unlike a household budget, the federal government has no real means of saving for the future. Anytime there is a budget surplus, Republicans insist on cutting taxes. To use the household analogy, that would be like asking your boss to cut your pay anytime your monthly income exceeds your expenses.

Times of war or recession require the federal government to be able to borrow money to cover the unanticipated expense or a shortfall in revenue. Congress, and the American people, then need to have the discipline and resolve to raise taxes after the event to pay the debt. A balanced budget amendment, however, would leave no flexibility for the government to address unforeseen fiscal problems.

Republicans also want to conveniently forget that nearly 80 percent of the current deficit was caused by the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the Bush tax cuts. End those and the problem is largely solved.

Spencer A.W. Stromberg

Spokane