OUR VIEW: National debt bucks must stop here

Stop whatever you’re doing. Go to www.usdebtclock.org. You’re going to see a lot of numbers. Shocked yet? Okay, now breathe.

    It’s no secret our country is in debt. Anyone remember the Recession? It was defined by job loss, inflation, government spending, millions of foreclosures and a rising personal debt. The national debt was in the spotlight for much of the last decade but this massive beast has been growing almost the whole life-span of America.

    Now, as 20-something-year-old college students, we are being told to prepare because we will have to deal with it. Years of bad budgeting and we have to deal with it.

    The debt per citizen is more than $45,000. The debt per taxpayer is more than $128,000. Now, consider how many of us paid taxes this year. The following statistic was given at www.thedebtweowe.com:

    “If you were alive when Christ was born and you spent one million dollars every single day since that point, you still would not have spent one trillion dollars by now.”

    The dollar is losing value. We’re relying on foreign lenders (thank you China, Japan and oil exporters). In 2008 there was a $410 billion deficit, meaning the government spent $410 billion it didn’t have. Oprah had her debt diet. By 2011, we’ve accrued over $10 trillion in national debt. Great way to start the new decade.

    How is it fair that we have to pay for wars and bills and funds which won’t affect or help us? How is it right that we didn’t get to cast our vote for those budgetary decisions hurting us now? How can we be expected to fix this? We’re still children.

    The fact is, we can’t change the deficit; at least not over night and probably not in the next 10 years. It will take generations of fiscal concern and responsible spending to bring our country back to good financial standing. What we can do, as students and voters, is be more aware. Be aware of how your personal debt can be lowered. If you can’t afford it, go without. Don’t expect to live a lavish life during college – you’re supposed to be broke. Get to know the legislation. Vote responsibly. Be proactive. Save your money. It may hurt now, but it’s nothing compared to the collapse of an economy which could be prevented.

    Here’s the bottom line: We’re in trouble, but we’re not dead yet. Students of USU, be responsible. Let’s not fall in the same habits as our parents. If it’s our problem, let’s start working on it now. We can’t be lazy and hope our wobbly tower of cards doesn’t fall while we’re alive. We can’t hide our faces. Let’s look directly in the face of our national debt and say “bring it.” It’s up to us, for better or worse.