EDITOR:

As a business man, Donald Trump declared bankruptcy six times. As President, it took him only four years to create 25% of the total debt incurred by the United States during 250 years. Trump’s debt arose from the largest tax cut in history for the wealthiest 1%. Only Lincoln, who financed a civill war, and George W. Bush, who paid for wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, had larger debts relative to the size of the U.S. economy.

Republicans and Democrats raised the nation’s debt ceiling three times during the Trump administration The national debt is money already spent. It cannot be cut. Failing to raise the debt ceiling is the equivalent of declaring bankruptcy. Bankruptcy is not an option.

Republicans accuse President Biden of refusing to negotiate. Tying the debt ceiling to restrictions on assistance for America’s most needy citizens is not negotiation. It is extortion. Spending cuts are proposed in a budget. Biden has submitted his proposal for a budget. A negotiation requires a proposal and a counter-proposal. There can be no negotiation until Republicans put their budget on the table.

Nino E Green

Escanaba