To the editor,
The U.S. national debt has surged past $35 trillion and is pacing upward faster than ever before, and yet, few seem willing to confront this existential threat. The rapid accumulation of debt is not just an abstract economic figure—it is a crisis of epic proportions that has the potential to erode our country from within.

Setting aside the political rhetoric from both sides, this single issue may have the greatest negative impact on our nation. It can be addressed at both the federal and state level and it really should be.  We do not need more government spending. We are now borrowing generations ahead of ourselves.
History teaches us that excessive debt weakens nations. We have seen it cripple economies like Greece and Spain, leading to austerity measures that deeply harmed their people. The U.S., once the world’s largest creditor, is now the largest debtor. This compromises our ability to respond to economic downturns, fund future investments, and even maintain our global defense posture. Our debt becomes a weapon used against us by foreign adversaries who hold significant portions of it, like China. Being fiscally conservative is no longer a political ideology, it is a necessity. Without addressing this looming financial disaster, the other policy debates we engage in won’t matter. Our global financial position is the foundation of our economic security, military strength, and the American dream for future generations.
Our financial position is not just economic—it is the cornerstone of everything we hold dear. This is the biggest reason I will vote for conservative Republican candidates this November.

Carrie Falkofske

Prescott