Both parties spend recklessly

What do the Republican and Democratic Parties have in common? They spend money like they have it. The goals of each party might be different but they do like to spend money.

According to the internet, 2001 was the last year that the federal budget was balanced. Since then, 25 years later, two different Republican and two different Democratic presidents have served. Last year the federal budget deficit was $1.81 trillion dollars. Even the Iowa Legislature is planning to borrow money to balance the budget to cover reduced revenue.

During the last 25 years national debt increased from $3.3 trillion to $36.2 trillion. Current estimates indicate another $3 trillion will be added to the national debt over the next 10 years.

So much for fiscal responsibility. Wouldn't it be refreshing if our elected officials could actually balance a budget. Some call the Democrats the "tax and spend" party and the Republicans the "borrow and spend" party. I call them both the "reckless spenders."

Jeffrey J Schaefer

Cedar Rapids