Letters: Tackling debt is secondary to jobs

Re “Average Americans are feeling pain of U.S. debt,” Feb. 25

The truth about the burden of the deficit is, unfortunately, buried deep in The Times’ article.

Far below the headline that cites the “debt” as the source of pain for average Americans, far below the shrill quotes from deficit scold David Walker, far below even some quotes by a real estate broker in Brawley, lies the truth about the situation: Tackling the debt now will slow the recovery and cost us 750,000 jobs.

It’s actually quite simple. The best way to reduce the federal deficit is to create more taxpayers.

Deliberately slowing a fragile economy will do just the opposite.

Paul Gulino
Santa Monica

If anybody alive today feels they are experiencing extraordinary pain, I challenge them to point to a time when humans have had it easier or been safer or more secure.

To have been born a white male in this country at this time is as near to paradise as humans have ever been.

Some with an ignorant and romantic view of a place and period of history will sputter in indignation, but there is no denying it. There are no hordes of pillagers to worry about. We have more defenses against disease than ever. Our fears of famine, plague and violence have never been less.

Please take a few moments every day to be grateful.

Sonny Shear
Glendale

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