“Fix the Debt” on Leavitt’s to-do list

This week, the Campaign to Fix the Debt launched statewide efforts to get policymakers to “address the impending ‘fiscal cliff’ and steer the national debt towards long-term sustainability,” according to a news release.

Co-chairman Sen. Steve Hobbs, D-Lake Stevens, hosted a press conference in Seattle.

The moderate Democrat is one-half of the leadership. So which moderate Republican was selected as co-chairman?

That’s right, this guy right here.

Vancouver Mayor Tim Leavitt said he was asked to participate because
he’s an expert on debt reduction. No, I’m kidding. He said he signed a proclamation at the U.S. Conference of Mayors last summer, calling for a constructive strategy toward deficit reduction.

“It’s time to stop dancing around this issue,” he wrote in an email. “With an acknowledgement that everybody must give a bit in order to resolve this pending fiscal disaster, our public ought to be demanding further bipartisan work in Washington DC to resolve now a pending financial disaster. Honest and productive leadership is necessary.”

“As it stands now, gross debt exceeds $16 trillion, and the path our Country is presently headed is anticipated to add another $11 trillion over the next decade. If a new course isn’t charted, our economy and the citizens of our Country will suffer dramatic repercussions, including slowed growth and an inevitable fiscal crisis,” he continued.

“Tough decisions about cutting spending, re-vamping federal programs, and adjusting public expectations to the reality of this situation are necessary. In broad terms, a bipartisan effort in Washington DC must work to reform Medicare and Medicaid and improve the efficiency in the overall health care system, strengthen Social Security and insure its solvency for an aging population, address comprehensive and pro-growth tax reform that broadens the base of taxpayers, lowers rates, raises revenues and reduces the deficit,” Leavitt wrote.

The Campaign to Fix the Debt includes more than 285,000 business leaders, former elected officials and concerned citizens.

The press release also said the group consists of “thought leaders,” which I refuse to acknowledge as a real thing.

More information can be found here.