Cut spending, raise revenue

The Republican approach to cutting the deficit reflects their preference for big business and the wealthy, which are key elements to fund their re-election campaigns. It also reflects their bias against the lower and middle classes of our country.

Cutting the deficit is vitally important. It is a difficult job but should be completed on an equitable basis. There are two sides to a budget; the spending side and the income side. Both sides must be addressed. The Republican plan proposes cuts in spending on education and other areas that mainly affect the poor and lower middle classes but not things such as wasteful military spending.

Regarding the revenue side of the budget, they are proposing tax cuts for the wealthy and big business. That is really smart. The expense cuts they are proposing are much less than the revenue lost to tax cuts resulting in an increased deficit. Does that make sense?

The Republican party continues to sell the old idea that tax cuts for the wealthy will increase investment and create jobs. The Bush administration sold us this idea 10 years ago and it didn’t work and it won’t work now. We need to cut expenses and increase revenue.

Ronald Fuchs

St. Charles