I have been critical in the past of the nonsense Rep. Mike Thompson has written in The Enterprise. Imagine my pleasant surprise with his recent article, “It’s time to put America on a fiscally sustainable path.” He is “spot on” and it appears that the article is written by him and not one of the hacks in his office for his signature.

Thompson’s relation of the facts of our economic situation is relatively fair and free of partisan rancor. His call for political compromise should bring a positive response in the minds of thinking citizens. So where do we go from here? “Aye, there be the rub.”

Thompson suggests that we need an inclusive, long-term plan for taxes, program cuts or modifications and leadership. These are nice generalities but barely useful in the practical politics of today. Every line of any general plan would be fought out interminably. As a famous politician once said, “All politics are local,” and I would add that all politicians are elected locally so local issues predominate in a politician’s mind.

While it is nice for academics and retired politicians to bend their labors to building long-term plans with broad future application, I suggest that Rep.Thompson focus his immediate efforts on something local and practical that can be handled with relative ease. That is the issue of putting Social Security retirement back on a pay-as-you-go basis. This is a “local” issue for almost everyone in Congress and thus a solution has broad appeal. Also, it would reduce the annual budget deficit by billions of dollars.

How about it, Mike? What have you done to put Social Security retirement on a fiscally sustainable path today?

Jim Stevens

Davis

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