Our political system has become more about who is right instead of what is right. Rather than civilized debate, we have shouting matches, each side attacking the other while ignoring their own hypocrisy.

This goes for our financial predicament — our most pertinent issue. Our debt is at a dangerous level. Each year, those in office avoid the issue by running deficits and raising the debt limit, because they are more concerned with keeping their job than doing their job.

Two things need to be addressed: taxes and spending. Not in the political manner: arguing about tax cuts, which programs to slash, Buffet Rules, and people paying pay their “fair” share (What’s fair? For whom? Who decides?). Instead, we need to have an honest conversation about our future and what needs to be done to ensure we have one.

The government spending needs to be reviewed and reduced to eliminate the substantial waste and inefficiencies. The tax code also needs to be simplified and adjusted. It has to be both reduced spending and increased tax revenue. We cannot raise taxes just to spend it in the same inefficient manner. We cannot argue about programs simply to gain political favor in a particular segment.

The scarcity of character, career politicians and misrepresentations by officials and media make it difficult, but America’s future depends on it. Sixteen trillion and counting.

Kyle Zimmerman

Cedar Rapids