Letters: Budget debate made problems worse

After all that struggle, and the consequent damage to the U.S. economy, during the debt ceiling wrangle, the politicians resolved the matter in a typically political manner: by delaying decision via the passing of the buck on to some "super committee." ["This is a job for a super committee," Opinion, Aug. 7].

It's easy to see how the next act in this political theater will work out. On that committee, the same impasse between Democrats and Republicans will initially prevail. The Dems will act as if resolutely determined to protect the well-deserved Social Security and Medicare benefits of millions of American citizens, and the Republicans will ardently and earnestly protect the unwarranted tax breaks of billionaires.

Ultimately, money will prevail over integrity, and the Dems will yield; thousands of seniors will be forced back into an already overwhelmed job market, and many will lose their homes to the ever-growing pool of foreclosures.

How will that help the economy? It won't, unless the goal is to turn the U.S. economy into that of a third-world nation.

Brian Paul Wiegand, Bay Shore
 

Is it possible that our elected representatives in Washington are consciously trying to derail our economy to provide fodder for their 2012 campaigns?

It now seems clear that the debt ceiling/deficit reduction battles that were only temporarily addressed in July started an erosion of confidence in the American economy that is pushing us toward a second recession in five years. Tens of thousands of people are losing their jobs (again). Similar numbers are losing their homes (again).

Meanwhile, pork-barrel spending and ideological bombast continue unabated.

Our nation will soon come together to remember the victims of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. We can only hope that the unity on display that day can somehow carry over and have a positive effect on the incredibly important debates that take place over the next several months.

Chris Marzuk, Greenlawn