Rationale was irrational

Your reason for endorsing Patty Murray for Senate was irresponsible and shocking. To re-elect her, in order that we might get more money from Washington, D.C., is to overlook our current problems with out-of-control budget deficits that stem from wild federal spending. Fiscal year spending ending Sept. 30, 2010, totaled $3.45 trillion – up 9 percent in one year. The increase over two years was 21.4 percent. The two-year spending increase of $2.7 trillion was more than the total spending in Reagan’s eight-year term and twice the amount of Bush-era spending. All of this spending ends up in the federal debt.

Federal debt was $7.6 trillion in 2004; the current spending binge has brought federal debt to $13.4 trillion – about 80 percent of GDP – and here we are getting close to “where the rubber hits the road.” Our debt winds up as 49 percent held by foreigners, with 48 percent of the debt maturing in two years – setting up a gigantic boost in interest expense (a further boost to debt). Foreigners increasingly doubt the U.S. dollar’s value. The spending you would celebrate coming our way from Patty Murray is part of the problem. I expected a more rigorous reasoning.

John A. Peterson

Spokane