A Few Messages for Washington on Debt Deal

According to the latest news, there is a debt deal in place. In a few short hours, Congress will vote on it.

The last few weeks have shown that compromise may be a thing of the past in our government.

We asked a few of our readers out-and-about in Pine and Richland this question: “If you could send a message to Washington, what would it be?”

“I would like our elected officials to remember that their job is to represent the collective views of all Americans. Getting elected to Congress has become more of a career choice than a calling to serve the people of this country. Their inability to reach a compromise on the debt ceiling is yet another example of politics as usual while our country is falling apart at the seams,” said Shari Berg, a public relations consultant, wife and mother of one young son.

Berg, 37, of Richland Township, continued: “My parents depend on Social Security and are concerned what will happen to them. I think if it comes to that, Congress should have to forgo its salaries until our congressmen and women can manage to act like the elected leaders they are and compromise on this important issue.”

Elementary school teacher Valerie Alchier, 29, also of Richland, said, “I would tell Washington that they need to work together to do the job they were sent there to do. By disagreeing and refusing to come to a compromise that works for everyone, they are in the end hurting everyone and setting a horrible example for the states that are also suffering a budget crisis, such as our own.”

Two young local voters and college students also spoke out.

“If I had to tell Washington something I would tell them that they need to put party politics aside and do what’s right for the country,” said Casey Carr, 19, a student at Duquesne University. “It's not about them getting re-elected; it’s about doing the job we elected them to do.”

Carr, of Hampton, who was shopping in Richland Township, worries that fellow students may have their federal financial aid affected by budget cuts.

Dan Szymanski, 20, of Pine Township, is also a Duquesne University student and landscaper for the summer months.

“Stop the spending and start the mending.  By ignoring the problem with the debt ceiling, politicians would only be putting us in a deeper hole than we are already in.  This problem has grown to the point where simple spending cuts will not solve the situation,” he said.

As a young adult who is working hard to pay for his education, he is particularly worried about the future.

“Eventually, borrowing more money will not be an option and America will be faced with another depression.  Working adults would suffer the largest immediate blows, but it's young adults and college students like myself that would endure the long-term effects,” he said.

As does Carr, he also worries how college students will pay for their education without financial aid.

“Government-based financial aid for schooling could be revoked, which would be devastating for students who rely on that money.  Job opportunities would also become scarce for college graduates looking to begin their working lives.  Short-term solutions that the government is currently considering will not solve the problems that could affect multiple generations.  Something big must be done, and it must be done now,” he said.