Deficit: ‘Why No Outrage?’

I appreciate the editorial. It condemns Capitol Hill for greeting Reagan’s final budget message with yawns. It labels the alleged $92.5-billion deficit “a sham.” The real deficit is closer to $140 billion because about $50 billion in temporary surplus Social Security trust-fund revenues is counted against the deficit. The deficit may be greater, depending on the economy.

I would add my personal outrage at Reagan’s request for a 2% increase above the inflation rate in Pentagon spending--at a time of huge deficits and when there is hope for an end to the cold war and the arms race.

The last line of the editorial, “ . . . Washington needs to hear a little outrage,” is right on target. It gave me the energy to write my congressman. Thanks.

EDITH L. PERLMUTTER

Santa Monica