Letter: National debt is a concern

I generally agree with the column by Karl W. Smith regarding our national debt (“Can U.S. avoid dreaded ‘debt bomb’?,” The Columbian, March 2).

However, his statement, “Congress would undoubtedly take the steps necessary to prevent a default,” is suspect.

It’s true, all you have to do to raise a debt ceiling is raise your hand in the affirmative. However, at some point in time, it won’t be possible to pay our obligations since Congress refuses to take the steps necessary to pay down or eliminate our debt. It won’t even consider it.

Remember the Balanced Budget Amendment, the Contract With America and the Gramm-Rudman Act? All acts or promises of Congress to reduce spending that were ignored.

Since 1950, there have been only two years where our debt has been reduced, 1956 and 1957. The Clinton years, our deficit spending was reduced or eliminated but our debt still increased. With the current debt of $31 trillion and a population of 332 million, that leaves every man, woman and child in the U.S. with an obligation of $94,000.

Everyone should be afraid of this except, of course, our political leaders.