Straight Talk

Americans deserve some straight talk from President Reagan when he addresses them on his 1986 budget Wednesday night.

They need to be told that $200-billion-a-year budget deficits threaten to erode the economy. They need to hear that all must sacrifice. They should be told that the country cannot simply grow its way out of the deficit crisis without pain or risk. They should be shown that all Americans are bearing the burden equally.

They want to hear that the Administration has at last cracked down on the defense industry’s outrage of astronomic prices on airplane spare parts. They want the comfort of knowing that no giant corporations escape taxation altogether, even though the people ultimately pay the cost in some fashion.

They yearn for assurance that their slim Social Security checks will not be squeezed further to buy more MX missiles. They should be told that the dignity of those who worked all their lives for their families, their communities and their country will not be tarnished by arbitrary cuts in health care for the elderly.

Americans should rejoice to know that feeding the hungry and undernourished is still a high priority of their government. They should be told that safe highways, bridges, sewage-treatment plants and clean water are not to be neglected.

They should be assured that the handicapped and disabled will get to participate in the fullness of American life. They should be helped in understanding that the solution to drugs or ghetto crime lies not just in more prison cells and tough judges.

They need to know that their government is willing to enforce laws against discrimination even if it increases the budget slightly. They need to know that freedom can be eroded at home just as it can be lost abroad.

They want to know something about the future quality of life in America, not just the size of the tax cut or the price tag on a BMW. Kansas kids want to know if they will be able to be farmers like their dads and moms. Bronx kids want to know if there’s any hope for them at all.

Americans want something more than just standing tall amid missiles or Olympic gold medals or the shambles of domestic programs that help people. If a program must be cut, they need to know why. They need to know that they can only be strong in Latin America or Europe or Africa if they are united at home.

Just give it to us straight, Mr. President.