Were GOP serious on deficit reduction ...

The GOP, including tea party supporters, professes concern about spending and budget deficits, but the real objective is to weaken and obstruct the economic recovery in order to prevent President Obama’s re-election.

If they were truly concerned about budget deficits, they wouldn’t insist on renewing Bush’s tax cuts for the wealthiest among us; that reduction in revenue is responsible for 60 percent of the current deficit. In addition, they are refusing to: close tax loopholes that benefit the rich and big corporations; reduce huge subsidies to the immensely profitable oil and gas industry; consider serious and well-considered cuts to the wasteful and bloated Pentagon budget.

Lanlan Hoo

Wheaton