On GOP budget plan

I was pleased to see U.S. Rep. Bill Flores, R-Bryan, standing next to U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., on Tuesday as they introduced the Republican budget plan for fiscal year 2012.

The “Path to Prosperity” is the type of leadership our country needs. It is the most important idea to come out of Congress in the past 20 years. The plan would prevent a debt crisis and keep us out of financial ruin.

The proposed budget addresses the drivers of our debt, cuts spending and reforms taxes. Health care spending by the government is the largest driver of our debt and cannot be sustained at current levels. The new plan would allow seniors and the economically disadvantaged the ability to choose their health care. It repeals and defunds Obamacare. The GOP proposal sets real and enforceable caps on spending. The budget proposal also sets the top tax rate at 25 percent. This will spur our economy and create untold jobs in the private sector.

Ryan and the Republicans are making the tough decisions and already are being attacked by the Democrats. The Republicans are leading — unlike the Democrats, who simply keep kicking the can down the road toward financial ruin. If our leaders don’t act now, we will face a future of economic uncertainty full of crises.

Will Jones, Waco

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Republicans don’t increase taxes on the wealthy during an economic downturn — it would exacerbate the problem.

Republicans don’t increase taxes on the wealthy during a recession — it would slow recovery.

Republicans don’t increase taxes on the wealthy during a depression — it drains capital needed to rebuild the economy.

Republicans don’t increase taxes on the wealthy during an economic recovery — it inhibits economic growth.

Republicans don’t increase taxes on the wealthy during boom times — it discourages increased investment.

 Now I get it: Republicans don’t tax the wealthy!   

Paul G. Jaehnert, Vadnais Heights, Minn.

Avoid a shutdown

It’s one thing to be pushed off a cliff, quite another to jump voluntarily. I hope GOP lawmakers don’t voluntarily lead America off the cliff by voting not to raise the debt ceiling and thereby shutting down our government.

Ottis Foster, McGregor

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Last year, President Barack Obama had majorities in the U.S. House and Senate. Yet he was unable to get his budget passed. Now, of course, all the blame falls on the GOP.  So I wrote this rhyme: 

Obama smiles and tilts his head as he tells us another whopper;

Then follows it up with a flip little line.

Doesn’t that make him a “flip” flopper?

Sherrod Fielden, Clifton

On Aggies’ big win

I’m amazed at how well the Trib contained its exuberance over the Texas A&M women’s basketball team winning the national title Tuesday. Every Baylor supporter should have been rooting for this team since it could only reflect well on Baylor, which had defeated the Aggies three times this year.

Let’s share the glory!

Helen K. Hood, McGregor