U.S. Products, Trade Deficit

Robert J. Samuelson (“World Feasts on Deficit in U.S. Bazaar,” Op-Ed Page, Nov. 19) makes an important point when he shows that the trade deficit is attributable to our voracious purchasing of foreign goods rather than to a decline in exports. What he neglects to point out is where the money for us to purchase all these goods comes from: a massive federal deficit.

The fact is that we are being encouraged to continue our spending binge by a government that refuses to tax us or to cut its extravagant defense budget. The Reagan Administration is borrowing $500 million a day so it can have its high-tech weapons and so we can have our Hondas and Sonys. It is buying our vote and putting our country in hock in the process.

ALEXANDER ASTIN

Los Angeles