In Manhattan, on a wall not far from Times Square, the debt clock ticks higher and higher. After climbing for so many years with no obvious economic fallout, it’s easy to ignore. Indeed, the clock was moved from its location on a busy street corner to a quiet passageway.

The reality is that we really don’t have a “debt ceiling.” It’s a political creation with no fundamental economic meaning. No other country has one. But we do need a political solution, and many politicians have been concerned about our growing debt for a long time.

They thought they had found the right talking point when the national debt surpassed 100% of gross domestic product.

Now, however, Pentagon spending and immigration enforcement budgets far exceed our supposed rules against deficit spending.

Most disturbing is the fact that there appears to be no end in sight for deficit spending as long as Trump is president.

CARL EVENSEN

Port Matilda

Submitted by Virtual Newsroom