THREAT: Consider our debt

America has problems — let’s look at just two examples.

First, externally we have challenges with China, Russia, North Korea, Iran and Syria, to name just a few. These countries hate us with a passion. Why? Because we represent and enjoy a way of life and a freedom that exceeds anything the world has ever known. It’s called Democracy. We have sacrificed the lives and limbs of our brave military over the years to hold onto that freedom and to give hope and assistance to countless millions throughout the world.

Yet, there is a huge segment of America that would like to see us conform to Socialism. I’m truly dumbfounded! Trading Democracy for Socialism would be like trading a Rolls Royce for a clunker with a blown engine and four flat tires.

But I believe an even greater problem is on the NEAR horizon. Our nation has a debt-spending sickness. We spend around $2 billion (twenty hundred million) a day more than we take in. Our credit card and student loan debt are both well over $1 trillion (ten hundred billion) and unfunded liabilities over $200 trillion. Our national debt is pushing $21 trillion. At some point the interest on what we owe will exceed our total amount of income, with nothing for Medicare, Social Security, social programs etc. Folks, it’s kinda like a runaway freight train going downhill without brakes — there WILL be a crash — a very bad crash! “Buy Now-Pay Later” actually translates to “Gotcha.”

MARVIN GEORGE MILLER

Coeur d’Alene