As Congress debates a tax increase, I have to wonder if any representatives have taken a hard look at the national budget. The nation is in debt more than at any other time in history, the economy is in the tank and they debate the merits of a tax increase.

The Treasury is on autopilot, issuing out checks. Does anyone look to see where all those checks are going to? I don’t believe so. For example: There is the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development — a non-profit think tank headquartered in Paris. One of its functions is to evaluate the tax polices of various countries, including the United Sates, and determine if they are equitable. In other words, is one country taxing its people less than another? If so, then that represents an unfair economic advantage.

The federal government pays that organization $100 million. The U.S. is struggling with debt and talking about a tax increase and, at the same time, giving away money.

The OECD released a survey recommending that the U.S. government create a value-added tax, reduce or eliminate the mortgage interest deduction and reduce health care deductions, among other things.

I would like to ask Maine’s delegation why that group receives U.S. funding. Can’t they come up with something more pressing to spend $100 million on? Better yet, reduce spending by that amount!

Tim McClure, Lisbon Falls