DEAR EDITOR:
The election is now over and the real work must begin. Hopefully, our government leaders will be able to finally focus on the real challenges facing our nation. They have been in election mode for so long that they may need some shock treatment to get them to actually work together and govern.
President Obama appointed a debt reduction commission a few years ago. We remember it as the Bowles-Simpson Committee.
The committee consisted of leaders from both parties and included some members who are retired from government service. They developed a legitimate blueprint for changing the way our federal budget is created and influencing how our economy operates.
Unfortunately, nothing was done with the committee report. The president, Congress and the political parties were focused on trying to win the election. They were afraid that any significant changes would hurt their political chances.
Now that the election is over, real action must take place. The recommendations of the Bowles-Simpson Committee should be seriously considered. Public hearings should be conducted to educate the public. The president and Congress should come to the table with open minds and realistic recommendations. Compromise must be included in the discussions.
No one is going to get everything they want. We must accept the fact that some things are out of our hands. We don't live in this world by ourselves. Also, the sacrifices that we will have to make are going to be shared by everyone in some fashion. It will not be an easy task.
These needed changes must be incorporated gradually so as not to negatively affect the fragile economic recovery that we have started to experience. Patience is not always easy to exhibit. But we certainly must accept the need for such patience.
Political posturing has no place in this difficult situation that we face. Partisan actions will only set us back further. Let us truly begin working together.
Larry Dueber
Warren