With the federal budget deficit on the rise again and the nation’s debt still on an unsustainable long-term path, The Concord Coalition has released this year’s “Key Questions” that voters should ask candidates for federal office.
“Voters should expect candidates in this year’s elections to explain how they intend to deal with the huge challenges ahead,” Concord says. “This is no time for vague rhetoric and petty partisan jabs; voters should insist on credible solutions — the more specific, the better.”
With the federal budget deficit on the rise again and the nation’s debt still on an unsustainable long-term path, The Concord Coalition has released this year’s “Key Questions” that voters should ask candidates for federal office.
“Voters should expect candidates in this year’s elections to explain how they intend to deal with the huge challenges ahead,” Concord says. “This is no time for vague rhetoric and petty partisan jabs; voters should insist on credible solutions — the more specific, the better.”
The questions cover topics that include deficit-reduction plans, health care costs, candidates’ budget priorities, defense spending, the tax code, Social Security, other domestic spending, the economy and opportunities for bipartisan cooperation on fiscal reform.
The Key Questions document includes background information to help voters evaluate whether politicians’ promises are responsible and their financial estimates reasonable. It is part of Concord’s “Lookout Campaign,” which encourages elected officials, candidates and the public to focus on the dangers of the growing pressures on the federal budget in the years ahead.
“Doing nothing would be the height of fiscal irresponsibility, could jeopardize our economy and undermine our position of global leadership,” Concord says. “It would also burden our children and future generations with massive government debt. So what do the candidates propose? Voters have a right — and a responsibility — to find out.”
