Huge debt has consequences

What does it cost to service a $1 trillion debt? We have debated much smaller budget deficits for years but seem to accept quietly the idea of $1 trillion deficits for the foreseeable future. Why is this? Is the economic future of our children and grandchildren not worthy of a debate?

What are the consequences of this debt? China already owns over $1 trillion of our debt. Are there no strings attached to a loan of this amount? It is not as if China has our best interests at heart.

Our fathers' generation is known for making the sacrifice necessary to save the world from tyranny. Is this our legacy, to be known as the generation that avoided the hard choices by condemning our children and grandchildren to the slavery of national debt? There will come a time when it cannot be ignored.

I would contend the inmates are running the asylum. How long can we pile debt on top of debt without facing the consequences? It is time for us, the people, to stand up and say "Enough is enough." After all, to paraphrase a former politician, "$1 trillion here, $1 trillion there, pretty soon you are talking about real money."

ROBERT TRANKLE, Chaffee, Mo.