(Letter to the Editor - Photo Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

I am good with the recent tariffs the Trump administration has invoked on our trade partners across the world. My hope is the funds from the tariffs will be used to offset some existing federal spending.

I am also good with the spending cuts being formulated in the budget bill. I am not a fan of the tax cuts being considered. With a $2 trillion yearly deficit, we cannot afford these tax cuts like not taxing Social Security, overtime, or tips people receive on the job.

Medicare and Medicaid will have to be reformed to reduce costs. I would not renew the tax decreases from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Bill of 2017. I know they are popular, but when you are broke and debt is out of control, you must take serious measures.

My fear is the federal government will do, say, $500 billion in spending cuts and then do $800 billion in tax cuts and the debt accumulation will be worse than ever. Increasing national debt will take more and more of the federal budget, stunt economic growth, cause inflation, and risk default.

I know about 10 people in the Mid-Ohio Valley agree with what I have stated here. I am enough of a realist to know the public is not yet ready to seriously address the national debt. It will require external forces to really bring about change.

Doug Reeder

Vincent, Ohio