DEAR EDITOR:

It is truly sad that Congress and our presidents are more concerned about passing a budget without reducing our national debt. Each American’s share of our $37 trillion dollar debt is over $110,000. We owe $2.6 billion each day in interest alone and much of the debt we owe is to countries like Japan, United Kingdom, China and Canada. It is projected that we will owe $40-47 trillion in five years.

Is this the legacy we want to leave those that come after us? Congress and our presidents should take heed from past presidents. George Washington cautioned against accumulating debt and leaving the burden to future generations. Jefferson considered public debt a canker fatal to the nation. Eisenhower believed payment on debt was necessary to avoid burdening future generations and warned about the risk of losing political and spiritual heritage. Ronald Reagan called deficit spending an immoral path and argued the choice was between leaving massive debt or liberty to children.

Perhaps the best example for future presidents and Congress to follow is from Andrew Jackson, who did more than just talk about the debt. He was the only president to completely pay off the national debt.

MATT DROZD

Pittsburgh