Co. Line 04-10-2025
The County Line
By Warren Strandell
Polk County Commissioner, Dist. 2
While at an eating establishment a couple of weeks ago, someone asked me, “So, what do you think of Trump now?” This was after some of the first big controversial cuts had been made in government programs and spending. Some services were ending, some government employees had lost their jobs, and others were being given a chance to take a financial settlement before going out the door. The person asking for my response was very upset about some of the things being cut or outright eliminated. My answer — and this hasn’t anything to do with a normal “County Line” issue — without needing a lot of time to think about it was simply, “Well, I’d just like to give him (Trump) a chance.”
And then, I rattled on about the one thing that has really bothered me for some time by saying something like: “This country has a $37 trillion national debt that has been growing out of control for far too long. And with that debt projected to grow to $50 trillion in just a few years this country will really have a real financial catastrophe on its hands if something isn’t done to get things under control.” And just to make the point, I added, “We’re spending more to pay the interest on that debt than we are for our entire defense system.” There was no response. The questioner knew and likely accepted the fact that something needs to be done.
Some of the actions that Trump is taking are unpopular. But, with that $37 trillion debt growing out of control this country needs to make corrections. The cost of interest on that debt amounts to more than $1 billion a day. Should you want to see/know just how out of control the national debt is go to “https:www//usdebtclock.org.” The running numbers will blow your mind.
So, why is this thing getting so far out of control? In short, the country is collecting $5 trillion a year in taxes while spending $7 trillion. Both political parties are to blame. There were attempts to put a “balanced budget” practice into place in 2001 when Bill Clinton was president. This was meant to correct things by the next year, but that didn’t happen. It was balanced, but it didn’t last for very long. Those in Washington just had no control over the spending… just like spoiled brats with Dad’s (or Mom’s) credit card.
The Trump-initiated cuts, however misguided you might think some of them might be, aren’t really being sold as a way to address the federal debt situation. But, they will have some impact on the debt problem… even if it is just a start. Some of the President’s methods to address efficiency in government, I think, go over the top… not with the opportunity for employees to take early separation but with the “firings.” A few years of a “hiring freeze” would accomplish the same thing with a lot less heartbreak. Reinstituting some of his tax cuts and even creating more… That’s a “No,” not with that debt.
Maybe there needs to be tax increases to go along with cuts in spending and the government workforce. The tariffs probably go over the top, too. As it regards all of this, the President is likely acting on “Trump time.” With just a four-year presidential term in which to get his agenda done timing has to be very important. Or maybe his timeline is only two years with another election to occur then.
There will be lots of ups and downs ahead, but regardless of how things are done or not done, that $37 trillion debt needs correction. Just ignoring it is stupid. Without correction, this country will have a fiscal reckoning that will dwarf all the complaining going on right now. At the local level, we in Polk County government work hard to keep our financial situation in very good order… and it is. Despite its budget issues, the State of Minnesota, which also operates with a balanced budget, has things under some degree of control.
If you will, try to give Trump a little bit of a chance… at least for now. There are l37 trillion reasons why we need to do that.
Thoughts for the day:
“Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country.” — President John Kennedy (this quote has been used in this space once or twice before).
“What do you get when you put 32 (insert the name of your most hated university here) cheerleaders in one room? — A full set of teeth
Disclaimer: Thoughts expressed in this column are those of the author and are not necessarily a reflection of the opinions of the other members of the Polk County Board of Commissioners
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