Scott Cumbie

Over the past 70 years, many of the policies of the US government have created a drain on our communities. Overspending, excessive regulation, and a 70,000 page income tax code have created a drag on the entire economy. All of us are affected by these policies, but low income communities are the ones who are hardest hit.

When the US government borrows money, that money is removed from the economy. We currently have an almost $14 trillion national debt. This means there is almost $14 trillion that has been drained from our communities. If there was no national debt, there would be at least $14 trillion to be used to create jobs and grow businesses in all our communities. A pastor in a low income community recently said that when any money comes into his community, the money quickly leaves. The money does not “revolve” around the community. This occurs because the US debt is like a vacuum, sucking money out of the economy and preventing it from revolving.

The national debt is probably THE most obvious example of where our government’s policies are not promoting the general welfare of all Americans. These policies are promoting a shared suffering and they must change.