Letter to the editor: Berg takes the right stance on balanced-budget action

I would personally like to thank Rep. Rick Berg, R-N.D., for all his efforts to fix the dire fiscal problem we face in our country. During his campaign, he promised to bring the North Dakota way to Washington and he has kept that commitment by urging Congress to pass the Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution. As a graduating college student, I look to Berg as a leader who will stand up to the broken system in Washington to provide a better future for me once I enter the work force.

North Dakota has constitutional provisions that require the governor to submit a balanced budget and the Legislature to pass a balanced budget. Our state is required to make tough choices to restrain our spending every year and we are prospering as a result. If the federal government were held to the same standard as families across the United States and states like North Dakota, we wouldn’t be $15 trillion in debt.

The majority of American people believe the federal government needs to start living within its means, and it needs to start now. Berg understands this, while others in Congress can’t let go of their spending addiction. Had the amendment passed the House and Senate, it would have been sent directly to state legislatures for ratification. With everyone grumbling about the dysfunction and gridlock of Congress, they should have been rejoicing at the notion of having this process taken out of the hands of Congress and given back to the people.

The national debt crossed $15 trillion recently. I applaud Berg for all his efforts to fix our massive spending problem and put our country back on the right track.

Elliot R. Rust

Mandan, N.D.

Tags: rick berg, opinion, letters