美国《纽约时报》：“大而美法案”就像反派版罗宾汉“劫贫济富”

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes that the U.S. national debt issue is more severe than commonly perceived, with increasing reliance on debt leading to significant internal and external challenges for the government [1][3]. Debt and Interest Payments - U.S. federal interest payments have surpassed military spending and are roughly equivalent to annual expenditures on federal Medicare, indicating a critical financial strain [3]. - The government is projected to pay over $1 trillion to lenders this year, with the "Big and Beautiful Act" expected to increase annual debt interest payments by $55 billion over the next decade, equivalent to the cost of repairing all U.S. bridges [3][4]. Economic Impact of Legislation - The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) predicts that the "Big and Beautiful Act" will significantly raise borrowing costs, potentially doubling them to over $100 billion annually [4]. - The act primarily benefits the wealthiest Americans through tax cuts while severely reducing social welfare for low-income families, leading to a projected 4% income decrease for the poorest households and a 2% increase for the wealthiest [4][6]. Historical Context of Debt - The U.S. national debt has historically increased during wars or economic downturns, but recent decades have seen borrowing rise even during periods of peace and growth, largely due to bipartisan spending during crises [5][6]. - If the "Big and Beautiful Act" passes, the national debt is expected to reach 124% of GDP by 2034, marking the highest level in U.S. history [5]. Recommendations for Fiscal Responsibility - To control national debt, the government needs to increase taxes, particularly on the wealthy, and reform social security and Medicare systems, which are major drivers of spending growth [7]. - Despite having the opportunity to implement a more responsible fiscal plan, the current Republican leadership is failing to address the pressing financial issues, leading to escalating costs [7].