FEDERAL FINANCES
Economist apparently has of no fear of debt
Regarding “Pay no heed to prophets of a financial apocalypse” (Opinion, Oct. 26), Paul Krugman seems to say the U.S. can spend as much as it wants; borrow as much as it wants; print money endlessly, and there should be no worry about the debt. I’m so relieved. So, what’s all the fuss about the debt?
Plus — if it’s good enough for Uncle Sam, it’s good enough for me, right? I can spend as much as I want, not budget, and not worry about how much debt I am in. Thanks, Paul Krugman!
PAT MURPHY, FAYETTEVILLE
GOVERNANCE
Here’s a way to give teeth to ethics panel
Enough already, with letting the politicians run Georgia’s ethics commission.
We should set up the commission with five retirees as commissioners. They would not have any connection with political parties, and have no involvement with, or income from, vendors that do (or want to do) business with the state or any other political entity within the state. Another requirement would be that their income would be from sources like Social Security, mutual funds, federal bonds and blind trusts — with no consultant fees. They would have to be willing to work for mileage and per diem meal expenses.
They would have the final word, by majority vote, on guilt or innocence regarding complaints brought before them. Fines for non-compliance with ethics rules, determined by the Legislature, would be collected before the guilty party would be allowed to participate in any political activity. The agency responsible for collection of fines would be determined prior to commencement of commission activity. The group would also have a secretary and two investigators, certified and bonded, that they chose.
BOB DRUKTANIS, SHARPSBURG
HEALTH CARE
‘Wasteful’ coverage is just part of insurance
Jerry Ellig’s recent take on the ACA as “wasteful” in covering things not everyone is asking for is missing the point (“ACA works by giving what you don’t want,” Opinion, Oct. 28).
Every insurance plan, regardless of property covered (including policies for your body) includes coverage for things you may never use, never asked for, and/or don’t want. What it does do for me as a taxpayer, however, is to help share the load of those not insured with those who are paying to be insured. The ACA will help move health care from emergency care and bandages to the full spectrum of preventative care, and to higher-quality outcomes.
I would ask the Mercatus Center, which market solution offers real freedom and prosperity?
PATRICK THOMPSON, WOODSTOCK
