Intelligencer Journal/Lancaster New Era

'Severe discipline' needed in Washington

TO THE EDITORS:

Politicians in Washington, including the president, offer $1.6 trillion in tax revenue over the next 10 years with no reduction in spending on a $16 trillion (and counting) deficit, and this is a start to getting our country out of the red?

Washington must stop the ridiculous spending, in order to get our fiscal house in order. Raising taxes on anybody without being responsible for what already is being collected is just plain stupid.

Unless severe discipline is somehow acquired, we will continue on this downward financial spiral, and this country will sink because of it.

All politicians knew the fiscal cliff was coming, and for the past four years did not feel any urgency to stop it. Now, all of a sudden, it is a main concern.

Democrats had full control of the House and Senate for two years and chose to do nothing regarding a balanced budget. Instead, we have an enormous health care bill that is only adding to our already strained economy.

Why did the health care bill take precedent over getting our economy fixed? Not balancing the budget for four years ... and now a fiscal cliff is this huge issue ... really? I am not convinced.

Any politician making $250,000 in the private sector should not be getting a paycheck on the taxpayer's dime. They are considered "the rich'' by this administration's definition and don't need that money, so why not "redistribute'' that check back into the federal budget to help bring down our deficit?

While we're at it, how about relinquishing all those nice perks and pensions lawmakers voted themselves over the years. Politicians are good at talking points. How about they put their (really, our) money where their mouths have been, and lead by example?

Kathy Layman

Leola