BCT Editorial – 10/10/04

This page was last updated on October 10, 2004.

Time to pay up; Editorial; Beaver County Times; October 10, 2004.

This editorial is another feigned criticism of U.S. government deficits and the debt. As I’ve written before, I don’t like deficits or debt. That said, I don’t believe for one second the Times editorial board cares one whit about deficits and debt.

What sets this one apart from the others is that this editorial tries to equate the national debt with terrorism. This is a ridiculous statement to make, unless you are trying to scare voters into voting for John Kerry.

It’s true the editorial mentioned neither President Bush nor John Kerry, but the purpose is clear.

The editorial naturally displays some contradiction.

First , John Kerry claims he wants to cut taxes “for the middle class” – over and above the Bush tax cuts of the last three years – and add miscellaneous programs that will total trillions of dollars over a period of years. Remember that Bill Clinton made the same claim before his first election, but managed to renege on that pledge. In any case, John Kerry wants you to believe his proposed tax increases on people making over $200,000/year will pay for everything. That is simply untrue. Therefore, a vote for John Kerry is a vote for higher deficits and even greater debt.

Here’s the other inconsistency. The editorial says, “We cannot and must not cede so much control of our nation’s finances to others.” This comes from the newspaper that continually advocates the commonwealth and the feds to pick up more of the tab for local spending. In other words, the Times advocates local municipalities and school districts ceding financial control to others. I agree it’s wrong to cede control of finances, but I believe it’s wrong in all cases. The Times holds this “belief” only when expedient for its partisan purposes.