Political double talk not helping economy

There is some economic double talk occurring in the discussions about the federal budget.

Republican Congressional leaders Mitch McConnell and John Boehner participate in this double talk when they stake out their “cut spending but don't increase revenue” position.

They say we can't raise taxes or close tax loopholes because it will cost us jobs, even though the connection between these taxes and jobs is dubious. They go on to promote massive spending cuts implying that cutting federal spending doesn't directly or indirectly cost jobs.

Are they denying that federal cuts will cost jobs? Or are they saying that the jobs of policemen, cancer researchers, teachers, highway workers and other government workers (including veterans) aren't

important?

Federal spending and tax revenue need to be brought into a better balance in the years ahead. This will require some spending cuts.

Regrettably, these cuts will cost some jobs and we will have to accept that. There is little downside to closing a tax loophole for big oil companies or hedge fund managers or raising the tax rate on million dollar athletes and corporate chief executive officers.

These changes will improve revenue and spread the burden of fixing the budget problems beyond just those in the middle and poorer classes.

Terry Moran

Cedar Rapids