Letter writer David Gosey makes the statement, "During the administration of President George W. Bush, the national debt increased from $5.7 trillion in January, 2001 to $10.7 trillion by December, 2008" and then questions why is it that now "Republicans get religion" on the subject ("Raising debt ceiling has long bipartisan history," June 7).

By Mr. Gosey's own numbers, during the Bush years the debt rose $5 trillion in eight years. Under Obama, the debt has grown $4 trillion in three years. That means that Obama has added to the national debt at twice the rate as the previous president.

Is that not cause for alarm?

I suggest that Mr. Gosey double his spending for the next two months and see how quickly his wife finds religion.

Michael DeCicco, Severn