Editorial
Other views: Deficit gets attention
When the discussion of federal spending involves billions of dollars, it’s never “a little too little, a little too late.”
Feeling pressure from the American public on the size of the U.S. deficit and runaway spending, the Obama administration has begun to formulate a deficit reduction plan. Officials are seriously considering using at least part of a $210 billion surplus in the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP) fund to lower what is projected to be a $1.3 trillion annual deficit.
The Office of Management and Budget also under the administration’s direction has asked all departments except defense and veterans affairs to plan two budgets for the fiscal year starting next October: one that has flat spending and one that envisions a 5 percent reduction in spending.
Of course, federal spending is complex, and there are plenty of opportunities for Congress and the administration to break their own rules. The proposed flat and reduced spending in all likelihood does not include entitlement spending, such as Social Security, that has automatic increases built into law.
Still, the effort to propose some kind of spending restraint, some kind of fiscal responsibility at a minimum puts the Obama administration on record. If the administration fails, and capitulates to a Congress that seems more and more pre-occupied with other things, it will have to face the music of not only Tea Party protesters but other citizens as well.
Obama’s OMB is also looking at “simplifying the tax code” and “revamping the corporate tax code,” but, according to The Wall Street Journal, White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel is pushing for significant spending cuts to go with any planned tax increases.
Some members of Congress appear ready to get serious about deficit reduction as well. Sen. Kent Conrad, D.-N.D., who chairs the Senate Budget Committee, has said he won’t vote for raising the Treasury’s borrowing limit unless the administration gets serious about deficit reduction.
Some Obama administration officials remain wary that reducing the deficit by cutting spending could choke off economic growth and any recovery. But carrying a deficit nearly three times what it was just a couple of years ago will also be bad for the economy — if not now, then in the long run.
— The Free Press, Mankato, Minn.
- Editorial
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In our view: Qualified for the job?
Voters in Jasper and Newton counties will be making decisions on several key positions on the local level. Among them are the presiding commissioner races in each of the two counties.
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Voices: Ensuring a safe place
When we think of our community, we want to think that we live in a safe place. This is one reason why people live where they do. On Aug. 3, the city of Neosho will be asking the voters to approve a tax levy that will go to fund city services.
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Voices: Operate ‘leaner’
How gullible do these local businesses think the citizens of Neosho are?
It is quite all right for these businesses to support an increase in property taxes. While they may state that this increase will affect them, it will, in truth, have very little impact upon them. -
Voices: Integrity and work ethic
I am writing this letter in support of William “Bill” White. He has donated countless hours as past president of the Joplin Swim Team, where I was fortunate to serve on the board of directors with him for the last four years.
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Voices: Qualified candidate
Aug. 3 is almost here and we in the 129th District have a very important decision to make.
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Voices: Way of life
Jim Stone’s recent column in The Joplin Globe shares with readers the “need to stop parroting the words of pundits ... to honestly listen to each other ... and pursue a dialogue that actually makes our nation progress.”
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Voices: Missed opportunities
I see the friends of Gary Nodler are out in force now. Of course, the fact that Gary Nodler has been a state senator all this time is not due to any exceptional ability on his part. Rather, no one bothered to challenge him until his term limits ran out.
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Voices: Blunt’s election ads
Congressman Roy Blunt’s political ads promise to “clean up” government and reduce spending that has put the United States in debt. They sound like they are for a “new” candidate.
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Voices: Vote for a fresh face
With the elections drawing near, the ads ramping up, the door bells ringing, the signs are a-flying, and everyone drawing opinions, why would you vote for a fresh face?
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Editor's note: Campaign letters
The Joplin Globe wants to hear from candidates vying in the Aug. 3 election and their supporters and critics.
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