CAL THOMAS COMMENTARY AUGUST 26, 2026
THE PETER G. PETERSON FOUNDATION IS A NON-PARTISAN ORGANIZATION THAT FOCUSES ON THE NATIONAL DEBT.
HAVING JUST PASSED A RECORD $40 TRILLION IN DEBT, THE FOUNDATION SURVEYED REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRAT VOTERS. IT FOUND 91 PERCENT OF VOTERS – INCLUDING DEMOCRATS, INDEPENDENTS AND REPUBLICANS – ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE DEBT’S EFFECT ON INFLATION, WHICH IS ADDING TO THE COST OF LIVING. LOTS OF CONCERN ABOUT HOW THE NATIONAL DEBT IS CONTRIBUTING TO HIGHER INTERESTS AND OTHER COSTS.
CONCERN IS ONE THING. THE BIG QUESTION IS, WHAT WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO EITHER DO WITHOUT, OR REDUCE IN WHATEVER BENEFITS YOU GET FROM THE GOVERNMENT? IF YOU ARE DOING WELL FINANCIALLY, WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO GIVE UP SOME OR ALL OF YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY FOR THE SAKE OF THE COUNTRY? HOW ABOUT INCREASING THE RETIREMENT AGE FROM 65 TO A MORE REASONABLE 70, OVER A FEW YEARS. DOESN’T THAT BETTER REFLECT THE REAILTY THAT WE ARE LIVING LONGER?
THE PROBLEM IS WE ARE ALL FOR CUTTING THE DEBT, BUT WHEN IT COMES TO INDIVIDUAL CUTS, WE THINK WE DESERVE WHAT WE ARE RECEIVING AND DON’T WANT TO LIMIT OR DO AWAY WITH IT. THE POLITICIANS USE BENEFITS TO GET VOTES.
CONCERN IS A STARTING POINT. REAL CUTS ARE THE GOAL I’M CAL THOMAS.
