With all its wealth and natural resources, the United States is on a red ink spending course that can only lead to financial disaster. In only two of the past 17 years has the government taken in more money than it has spent. Among the issues for sober contemplation as you plan your “‘uesday vote in presidential, inatorial, and congressional, ces, the Herald urges you give nigh priority to the over spending problem. ‘ Have a look at what’s happening and calculate where we’ll be, even in another 10 or 20 years, unless the people ‘ here in Utah as well as across the country change the course by electing candidates who will insist on economy. National budget: 1946 – $55 billion, as we wrapped up the farflung World War II. 1956 e $70 billion. 1966 – $134 billion. Fiscal vegr ‘ew current fiscal year budget 399.9 billion, with receipts d at $352.5 billion for a ited deficit of $47.5 billion. ficit is only-$T51iillion less federal budget jum e es ago. And- ‘ ztimel What if we were d upon to defend ourselves in jor war? te another side of tile tenin picture, the publ mil , , % – $269.4 billion, up fro billion in 1940 and $16.1J in 1930. A $271 billion. /’!( – $316 billion. /l(( . – $634.7 billion in nber. (The debt amountef 96 per capital in 1975). l he fiscal year just ended, we $37 billion just for interest on national debt. This comes m current budgeted enditures. Vho’s responsible for the climb the federal budget from $70 lion to nearly $400 billion in justa vears? And the shamefu it spending that has plung ‘3 billion deeper in debt in . wo decades? lame for inflation – fueling spending must be shared ively, but ultimately it lwn to the administration rticularly to big – spending of .Congress. vational Associated )meE’a respected non gu 11’rM /. il’-””‘Z partisan group, rates members of Congress on what it considers the 12 most important spending issues each year. One who voted on the side of economy on all issues rates 100 per cent. For the 94th Congress, 31 senators and 121 congressmen earned NAB “watchdog” awards for scoring 66 per cent or better. In the Senate: 7 Democrats, 23 Republicans, and one independent. And in the House, 14 Democrats and 107 Republicans. (Note the minority of Democrats despite the overwhelming majority of Demos in Congress). How did Utahns score? Sen. Jake Garn, 100 per cent; Sen. Frank E. Moss, 30 per cent; Rep. Allan T. Howe, 20 per cent; and Rep. Gunn McKay, 27.3 per cent. Judging by this report, the latter three obviously have not demonstrated a strong enough effort to balance the budget. We believe Utahns should consider In our choices at the polls, we need to think of balance, of course. Of what’s best in the overall picture. But don’t underplay the critical need to restore fiscal stability. Experience would Y indicate four more years of qlontinued red ink spending unless e makeup of Congress is changed drastically. Can our country stand this’? On the presidential side, Jimmy Carter is committed to ubstantial new spending Lirograms but says he’ll delay y them If they would prevent a balanced budget in four years. President Ford is committed to slimming the bureaucracy and V balancing the budget in two years. 7This is the minimum Americans should demand. We believe President Ford has demonstrated he can provide prudent, stable leadership. By his vetoes, preventing expenditure of billions of dollars, he has proved df: has the courage and stature to emand fiscal restraint and discipline. For this and other Geasons, the Herald urges support or him in Tuesday’s election. We also urge choice of senate and congressional candidates who will team with him not only ir restoring desperately needet fiscal stability but to preserve a effective two – party system an strengthen the “checks ar balancesi’ so vitally needed government.