Perspective detail: How to Run Our Government Without Piling Up Too Much Debt

Perspective 1: Establish a Zero-Tolerance for Deficit Spending

From this perspective, any debt is bad debt and the nation should never borrow money to cover government expenditures. We should live within our means, and simply make deficits illegal. Most state governments do this in some form or other, and the federal government should do likewise.


Therefore, we should:

  • Pass strict “pay-as-you-go” legislation: This means that if a spending bill is passed the expenses associated with that spending bill are directly offset by spending cuts elsewhere in the budget and/or by tax increases.
  • Citizens groups should organize in support of “pay-as-you-go” legislation and to ensure that politicians who attempt to create exceptions to this rule are held accountable.
  • Work for a Balanced Budget Amendment. Of course, it’s hard to pass constitutional amendments, but it might be achievable over time and meanwhile it’s a good way to educate people.

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