While I can’t disagree with the sentiments in the cartoon described by Anne Burkart in her Jan. 3 letter to The Dispatch, I have problems with how she extrapolates from there. I like that she is leveling bipartisan criticism, too, but even though her letter primarily criticizes our current Republican senators, she seems to be blaming them for facilitating President Biden’s big-spending tendencies.
She has a right to her opinion, obviously, but I hope she knows that the national debt increased by considerably more during the 4 years of the Trump administration than it is currently projected to during Biden’s first term. Don’t take my word for it, though, just go here and you’ll see: https://bit.ly/3Zbi8Kg.
Further, there is a rather extreme set of circumstances in place right now — continuing pandemic, largest war in Europe since WWII to name just two — that are not comparable to what Trump faced during his time in office (other than the beginning of the pandemic). Most importantly, what would she have a president do under the current circumstances? Best not to criticize without offering an alternative solution you think would be better.
By the way, Trump managed to increase the debt by first cutting taxes then increasing spending ($4.6T to Biden’s $2.3T, Covid-related expenses not included in either case — see chart 3 at the above link for additional detail). Our state legislature is currently proposing along similar lines — cut taxes, keep spending, and also give residents money back all while professing to want to save rural hospitals. Wonder where that will lead?
Paul Mack
Columbus
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