Budget lessons

I am always unhappily surprised by the rhetoric and straw-man arguments presented by Democrats and Republicans in their categorization of the other side’s opinions on issues.

Democrats: Will you please admit that the government’s budget, especially at the federal level, has a large deal of waste and “pork” that needs to be cut because it is not actually in the people’s best interest, only the interest of those receiving the money.

Yes, infrastructure problems require funding, but categorizing any attempt at cutting these budgets by Republicans as some scheme to let America’s infrastructure crumble is untrue and insulting. Saying any attempt at cutting the budget is bad simply because you’re cutting the budget is a circular and nonsensical argument. Stop it.

Republicans: Will you please admit that the military budget is also a massive source of waste and unnecessary expenditures. Doling out military contracts and bases to states is virtually identical to doling out infrastructure improvements and pork.

Yes, America needs to have a strong defense, but claiming Democrats are making this country unsafe by virtue of budget cuts in the military is untrue and insulting. Saying the budget needs to be cut and then exempting 20 percent of that budget because you happen to like that part is ridiculous and reflects a real lack of understanding as to the magnitude of the debt crisis we find ourselves in. Stop it.

To Americans of all persuasions: Please realize that the debt crisis is a major issue and to resolve it. You will have to be willing to see cuts in, or complete elimination of, programs that directly benefit you. It will be hard. It will only get harder as the debt is ignored by both parties in favor of simplistic representations of the other side’s argument that wins them votes. Stop buying it.

Dawson Lynch

Columbia Falls