Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, January 24, 1993 TAG: 9301250270
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
NOW'S NO TIME TO BE CUTTING TAXES
I AM PLEASED that President Bill Clinton apparently has abandoned the idea of middle-class tax cuts.With the burden of an ever-growing national debt and a seemingly uncontrolable budget deficit, it would be imprudent and fiscally irresponsible for Clinton to advocate a tax cut at this point. It is time that we face the fact that the bill for our government's extravagant spending of the Reagan/Bush era has come due.
Unfortunately, over the past 12 years the American public has come to expect more government services for fewer tax dollars. We all want to pay off the national debt but are not willing to pay higher taxes to do so. We want balanced budgets at all levels of government but are unwilling to do without the government services we have come to expect and rely on. It seems that we believe there is such a thing as a free lunch. It is time that Americans realize that, although a Clinton tax cut might put more money in their pockets right now, it will only take more money out of the pockets of future generations.
The sad thing is that Americans are not willing to vote for those who appear on the ballot who tell the truth about our national situation. In 1984, Vice President Mondale was honest and said he would raise taxes to stem the tide of red ink in Washington, D.C., and he lost big. Ross Perot said the same thing in 1992.
I voted for President Clinton and am proud of it. I knew there would be no middle-class tax cut - reality dictated that conclusion. But given the American electorate's aversion for the truth, can you blame him for making such a promise? As Sam Rayburn used to say, "You can have all the best intentions in the world, but they don't mean squat unless you get elected!" JOEL D. LEONARD BLUE RIDGE