America's deficit problem is more than fiscal: U.S. economist

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　　"Economic forecasts are of course uncertain. Yet the great likelihood is that over the next 15 years debts will rise relative to incomes in an unsustainable way if no actions are taken beyond those in the 2011 budget deal and the recent 'fiscal⁶ cliff' agreement," Lawrence Summer, a Harvard University professor, said in an article posted on The Washington Post.

　　He argued that given all the uncertainties⁷ and current U.S. debt levels, the country "should be planning to reduce debt ratios if the next decade goes well economically."However, the former U.S. Treasury⁸ secretary held that although reducing prospective⁹ deficits should be a key priority, it should not take over economic policy.

　　Obsession¹⁰ with budget deficit "risks the enactment¹¹ of measures like pseudo-temporary tax cuts that produce cosmetic¹² improvements in deficits at the cost of extra uncertainty¹³ and long-run fiscal burdens," he explained.

　　Summers noted¹⁴ that given the current historically low interest rates, the Unites States has a good chance of making investments on infrastructure¹⁵ which would contribute to job creation and economic growth.

　　"Nearly six years after the onset¹⁶ of financial crisis, we clearly are living with substantial deficits in jobs and growth," he said.

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