1. United States
2. Wash.
3. Letter

The upcoming budget debate will be contentious. Clearly, the ignorance, corruption, and incompetence of President Trump will not allow him to help craft a budget that will meet American needs. So it will be up to Congress to do it on their own. While it is true that the current Republican proposals are being sold under the guise of fiscal restraint, the reality is that they are fiscally irresponsible as they will inflate our deficit and debt on the backs of workers so that the wealthy can get another tax break. It will only take a handful of fiscally responsible Republicans to derail this unserious effort by the corrupt administration and its collaborators in congress. I encourage Democratic members of Congress to reach out to Republicans that are truly fiscally conservative and show them how the only way out of our current debt crisis is through responsible revenue side reforms that are needed. These include appropriate funding for collecting taxes due alongside a rebalancing of tax burden such that the wealthy pay their share. This includes reform to social security to shore up its long term health (e.g., by removing the maximum taxable earnings cap). There only solution to the current budget crisis is bipartisan as long as Republicans are in the majority. Reaching across the aisle to find Republicans that realize that their responsibility is to the country and the constitution has been frustrating, I am sure, but as the President’s approval ratings continue to be in free fall, now is the time to redouble efforts.