A Jan. 29 Ashland Source article about the Trump administration’s “on-off” order to temporarily freeze certain federal expenditures included comments from several local community leaders about the action.
At least one official expressed concern over the impact a freeze would have on his agency. His reaction is understandable.
In my opinion, however, there’s a bigger issue here, namely our gargantuan national debt, fueled by runaway federal spending.
Our total national debt now tops $36 trillion. The projected federal budget deficit for fiscal year 2025 reportedly is $1.9 trillion.
Financial experts smarter than I have warned debt like that poses a major threat to our nation.
Some also believe heavy federal spending contributed significantly to the high inflation we experienced in recent years.
Relative to the overall national budget, the amount of federal aid we receive locally would probably be tantamount to a drop in the ocean.
But with 50 states and thousands of counties, cities, towns and villages across the country likely getting (or requesting) federal assistance, doesn’t it all add up?
In the future, I think local public officials should explain how it’s okay to take federal money with our national debt situation the way it is.
For those who are Republicans, I’d like to remind them the GOP advocates fiscal sanity, at least I thought it did.
Hillsdale College in Michigan advertises it doesn’t take federal money. Maybe state and local governments should get into the habit of doing that as well.
The Source did a nice job of educating readers about local spending under the American Rescue Plan Act.
Why don’t you do a series on the national debt, especially the consequences if it continues to grow?
Jeff L. Reed
Ashland, Ohio