Fanatical about the deficit and debt

Dr. Ray Graap volunteers each week at our free clinic in South Tucson. Yesterday the Arizona Daily Star published this crystal-clear, no-gobbledygoop letter from him:

DEFICITS ACTUALLY DO MATTER

"Deficits don't matter" - Republican mouthpiece Dick Cheney extolled not that many years ago. This comment came after Bush No. 2 went to war and cut taxes; the deficit and associated debt subsequently ballooned.

The current crop of Republicans in Congress are now fanatical about the deficit and debt; it just took about 10 years for them to make the 180-degree swing. Of course, it is an important issue - always has been.

The Republicans now also refuse to close tax loopholes or increase taxes to increase revenue to keep this country from bottoming out. Very patriotic behavior. The McClatchy poll reported April 10 of this year showed 63 percent supported raising taxes on those with an annual income of over $250,000; only 34 percent were opposed. Even 43 percent of Republicans supported a tax increase. And overall, 80 percent opposed cuts to Medicare and Medicaid.

Conclusion: Congress no longer represents the majority of citizens in this country. The only way to change congressional members' allegiance is to cut off the river of money from special interests and vote them out.

Raymond F. Graap

Physician, Tucson