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LETTER Let’s adopt zero-based budgeting

2 min read
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Like many Americans, I am very worried about the chronic overspending authorized by Congress and the resulting deficits and debt it causes. It seems that politicians on both sides of the aisle cannot muster the necessary gumption to control the situation.

My idea is simple. Why don’t we reduce federal spending by 1 percent per year until our spending matches tax revenue. Then we should continue on the same path until the excess of revenue over spending rises to the point where we would enjoy an identifiable point where our debt would be paid off.

The only exceptions would be spending on national security and immigration. We must maintain the safety of our nation and control immigration to ensure that those people coming here will not be a burden on our citizens.

My idea would include entitlements. Surely we can all adjust our budgets to accommodate a 1 percent reduction each year in Social Security and other benefits. At the same time, the current Social Security tax on earned income should be collected on 100 percent of everyone’s annual earned income.

In order for the American Dream to survive, everyone must tighten their belts a bit, and share the burden of fiscal responsibility. Cutting the mind-boggling waste that thrives within the federal budget should make it easy to live within our means. Let’s adopt zero-based budgeting so that every dollar must be justified every year.

It is very sad that our elected representatives can’t bring themselves to do the right thing for our country. But perhaps if they are forced to be responsible to their oaths, we can all continue to prosper.

William R. Hill

Houston

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