
By Gary Shapiro
Gary Shapiro is the CEO of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA).
In his piece, Gary Shapiro critiques both major political parties for their inadequate approaches to the national debt, likening the choice between their candidates to a dangerous gamble. He highlights that interest payments on the debt exceed defense spending, yet proposed solutions remain superficial. Democrats focus on raising taxes on corporations and the wealthy, while Republicans suggest minimal cuts and tax reductions without addressing major entitlement programs.
Shapiro calls for concrete solutions, including:
- Spending Cuts and Tax Increases: Acknowledging that reducing debt requires sacrifice.
- Social Security Reform: Means-testing benefits and adjusting retirement ages to reflect increased life expectancy.
- Healthcare Reform: Shifting towards value-based care to lower costs and improve efficiency.
- Value-Added Tax: Implementing a tax that ensures fair contributions from all citizens.
- Economic Growth through Innovation: Supporting technologies that drive growth without stifling innovation.
- Bipartisan Commission: Establishing a commission to create and uphold fiscal responsibility recommendations.
Shapiro urges voters to prioritize discussions about the national debt and advocates for active engagement in the political process to promote sustainable solutions.
Full article: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/america-national-debt-ballooning

