Government spending practices must change

It was announced recently that our nation's debt reached $22 trillion and few noticed. President Trump on March 1, 2018, signed a bill suspending the debt ceiling until March 1, 2019. Suspending the debt limit opens the door to uncontrolled spending. As a result, the new debt limit will be whatever level the debt is on March 1. Shortly after Trump suspended the ceiling, the debt exceeded $21 trillion. Watch what happens on March 1 this year. Another debt suspension? More deficit spending?

Trump did not mention our nation's debt in his State of the Union speech. Why? Reportedly, acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney told him nobody cares about budget deficits and the national debt. He may be right. The fiscal year 2019 U.S. budget deficit is $984 billion. Congress is approving budgets that far exceed what the nation will take in. Presidents use deficit spending techniques to reduce unemployment and create a temporary, fake economy. It's not a new technique but improves their popularity at taxpayers' expense.

The perception is that America is for sale as foreign countries are buying our Treasury notes and other financial documents. What government do you want to live under? China? Russia? If our nation doesn't quit spending more than it takes in, this could be a reality.

Richard C. Hall, Norman