Pete Buttigieg

In fact, history would say more productive at times in history when they were paying more taxes in the US.

In fact, history would say more productive at times in history when they were paying more taxes in the US.

But leaving that partisan fight aside,

But leaving that partisan fight aside,

I do want to come back and agree with you again that where we are right now is not sustainable.

I do want to come back and agree with you again that where we are right now is not sustainable.

That contrary to what some on the left would say, there is such a thing as the debt.

That contrary to what some on the left would say, there is such a thing as the debt.

It does matter.

It does matter.

And we need to make sure that what we're doing going forward is more consistent with some basic fiscal responsibility.

And we need to make sure that what we're doing going forward is more consistent with some basic fiscal responsibility.

I literally did put out a plan, which I balanced every single spending back when I was running for president in 2020, which feels like another lifetime.

I literally did put out a plan, which I balanced every single spending back when I was running for president in 2020, which feels like another lifetime.

Every single thing that I proposed spending on, I also proposed to pay for and explain what would have to happen tax wise in order to do it.

Every single thing that I proposed spending on, I also proposed to pay for and explain what would have to happen tax wise in order to do it.

And again, that's just, those are the habits that I built as a mayor who had to do my budget in cash.

And again, that's just, those are the habits that I built as a mayor who had to do my budget in cash.

So look, it's not like it's a completely unsolvable problem.

So look, it's not like it's a completely unsolvable problem.