Surplus

So President Clinton expects the federal government to amass a $4.4-trillion surplus over the next decade and a half (Feb. 2). And what does he plan to do with it? Apply it to reducing the national debt, which, if accomplished, would reduce the debt to somewhere between $1 trillion to $1.5 trillion, the lowest since the early 1980s? No, that would be too sensible. Instead he wants to--surprise!--spend it on an array of items intended to delight the impecunious of both right and left.

Clinton’s spending plans are somewhat akin to an individual who had amassed a mound of credit card debt, and who suddenly receives an unexpected financial windfall uses that windfall not to relieve his indebtedness but to throw a party for his neighbors at which he presents gifts. Is fiscal irresponsibility an impeachable offense? No? Too bad. But then, maybe it’s for the best. Were it so, the majority of 20th century presidents would have bitten the dust.

WILLIAM J. FICKLING

Los Angeles

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House Ways and Means Chairman Bill Archer (R-Texas) says that Clinton’s proposed new budget “contains something for everyone, and that’s troubling.” Sure is, Bill. God forbid any of that surplus should go to help the working class, the poor, the elderly or minorities when it could be put to much better use jacking up your real constituents’ after-tax profits.

MICHAEL SCHLESINGER

Sherman Oaks