Be Fiscally Prudent
To The Editor:

Our current financial crises impacts all levels of government. The federal government is our biggest debtor with a national debt of almost $11 trillion. Current New York City municipal debt is $55 billion. Each resident is responsible for $6,800, making the Big Apple number one nationally. New York state is number two nationally among the 50 states, with each resident responsible for $3,115 of the $55 billion dollar total debt. This trifecta inheritance may bankrupt future generations. Debt clocks should be placed in the halls of Congress, Albany and City Hall so our elected officials can see the damage.

It is time for government to destroy its own credit cards. Only a return to pay as [you] go without borrowing, balanced budgets, a freeze on current spending levels, means testing for all recipients of assistance, actual surpluses and yearly down payments to reduce long-term debt will restore our fiscal discipline. It's time to put Big Brother on a real diet! Sincerely, Larry Penner Great Neck