Re: “U.S. can’t afford to keep expanding the size of its welfare state” (Oct. 27, Opinion):
Columnist Allison Schrager’s perspective was topical given the present U.S. authorities shutdown.
Whereas I’d readily agree that our “welfare state” can’t develop unabated, the price of Reasonably priced Care Act well being care subsidies, which is dramatically completely different than a pure handout, is comparatively minuscule at $350 billion over 10 years or $35 billion per yr. The present annual U.S. Finances is over $6 trillion, thus $35 billion equals 58/100’s of 1%. Unfunded tax cuts, corresponding to those accepted earlier this yr, have contributed to the present $37 trillion nationwide debt.
Is it actually unreasonable for the richest nation in historical past to offer such a low value and eminently worthwhile profit to over 20 million fellow People in want?
Steve Sutherland, Mercer Island
