Wealthy, corporations benefited; let them pay

There is no national debt problem, only a “we don't want to pay our bills” problem. The nation's debt was created by two unfunded wars, Sen. Chuck Grassley's unfunded medical bill, government giveaways to corporations and President George W. Bush's tax cuts.

The debt was not caused by the poor and middle class safety net of Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and food stamps. These programs should not be cut so the wealthy and corporations can have another tax cut.

Exxon Mobil, one of the richest corporations in the world, paid no federal income tax last year and received subsidies from the government.

David Stockman, President Ronald Reagan's budget director, recently claimed that the top 5 percent of households held $8 trillion of wealth in 1985 and today they hold $40 trillion. The standard of living of the poor and middle class has not risen in that period. If the 15 million unemployed had well-paying jobs, there would be no budget deficit.

If there is any justice, fairness or accountability left in our justice and political systems, then those who have profited the most should pay the taxes.

The Chinese started a trade war with the United States in 1994 when it devalued its currently by 50 percent. The wealthy and their corporations have profited from the destruction of the American economy ever since and that must end.

Dean Owens

Palo