A Minnesota 'shutdown'?

Our nation's $14.3 trillion debt is a testament to the fact that the federal government spends too much on too many things we taxpayers clearly cannot afford. But Washington regrettably is not alone in that habit.

Unlike Congress, the state of Minnesota can't run in the red. So with Minnesota facing a projected $5 billion deficit, its government actually shut down a few days ago, laying off state employees, stopping road projects, etc. What will Minnesota do? That's hard to say.

But in Washington, Congress typically just taxes and spends and runs deeper in the red, adding to the national debt.

This time, though, as our supposed "debt ceiling" approaches, Republicans are commendably insisting on big spending cuts and no tax increases.

We don't need a federal government default, but we do need a "shutdown" of lots of excessive spending. Republicans should not cave in and agree to tax increases, which would only make the problem worse.

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