Arrow-right Camera

Color Scheme

Subscribe now

This column reflects the opinion of the writer. Learn about the differences between a news story and an opinion column.

Stitch up deep pocket

The June 15 Wall Street Journal featured a short news story under “Notable and Quotable” that was in the Weekly Standard June 13. This article stated that our current debt of $14 trillion would grow to $25 trillion by the end of the next decade.

Our defense budget was drastically reduced in the Clinton presidency and some of that is reflected in the need to increase defense spending in the Bush years and now the Obama administration. Our citizens and our military are our nation’s strength. Our fiscal responsibility is our nation’s weakness. Example: Projected interest payments will be $800 billion in 2021. The Fed’s artificially low interest is not a sustainable solution.

Why are our elected officials ignoring all our funds that leave our borders and unburden other nations and countries of their fiscal responsibility. There is no question that the nation’s entitlement programs need review and change. Why is little attention being given the flow of capital to help other nations?

The United States can no longer afford to be the world’s policeman and Santa Claus.

Herm Pfahl

Sandpoint

Letters Policy

The Spokesman-Review invites original letters on local topics of public interest. Your letter must adhere to the following rules:

  • No more than 250 words
  • We reserve the right to reject letters that are not factually correct, racist or are written with malice.
  • We cannot accept more than one letter a month from the same writer.
  • With each letter, include your daytime phone number and street address.
  • The Spokesman-Review retains the nonexclusive right to archive and re-publish any material submitted for publication.

Unfortunately, we don’t have space to publish all letters received, nor are we able to acknowledge their receipt. (Learn more.)

Submit letters using any of the following:

Our online form
Submit your letter here
Mail
Letters to the Editor
The Spokesman-Review
999 W. Riverside Ave.
Spokane, WA 99201
Fax
(509) 459-5098

Read more about how we crafted our Letters to the Editor policy