Issue Position: National Debt

Issue Position

Most career politicians don't want to talk about the debt. Most Americans don't realize how deep in debt we are as a nation, or how fast it has escalated under this President, and so politicians aren't held accountable for it. But it's absolutely critical for people to understand it. Our national debt now exceeds $17.2 trillion and we are going deeper in debt by the minute. Yet the Obama Administration and Congress refuse to adequately address the problem and instead continue to spend.

The fact of the matter is that we must deal with this debt -- or our debt will deal with us

Like so many other addiction issues, the first step for Congress to take in fixing the debt problem is to admit that they have a spending problem. And perhaps the most important next step is to realize that our enormous debt is the price we are paying for expanding the role of government beyond what the Constitution prescribes.

How do we fix it? It's going to require more than just eliminating waste and abuse in government programs. It's going to require Americans to have an open and frank conversation about the proper role of government. We can't expect government to give us everything we want. The truth is, that whatever government gives out, it must first take from someone else. A government that is big enough to give you everything you want is also big enough to take away everything you have.

We are going to have to come to terms with the moral implications of one generation obligating the next to pay for living beyond our means. Going beyond what the Constitution prescribes will lead to the loss of freedom.

We have a window of opportunity but we must act -- and act decisively. I believe we can do this…I believe we still have the know how to make America great again. We have the opportunity to have future generations look back on what we do either with great respect or great sadness. I believe we can rise to the challenge. I believe we can come together to make hard choices so that our children and our grandchildren can enjoy the freedoms and opportunities that we've known.

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