Call the national debt what it is: Child abuse

The national debt is a taxation without representation upon our future children.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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The article discusses the national debt and how it is a burden on future generations. It argues that the national debt should be viewed as a form of 'child abuse' since it obligates children and future Americans to pay for the consumption of today's senior citizens. The article also criticizes the notion that the best way to deal with Iran is to 'take out its leadership' through military action.

Why it matters

The national debt is a significant economic and political issue that will have long-term consequences for future generations. The article raises important questions about the fairness and sustainability of the current fiscal policies and the potential risks of aggressive foreign policy actions.

The details

The article responds to a previous opinion piece by Nicholas Eberstadt that discussed the high number of prime-age men who are not employed or seeking work. The author takes issue with Eberstadt's statement that 'our country's children, and Americans as yet unborn, are being obligated tomorrow to pay for 'mandatory' consumption by senior citizens today.' The author argues that Social Security will need to be adjusted to account for the falling birth rate, and that the income cap should be raised or eliminated so that higher-income individuals pay the same percentage as those in lower brackets. The article also criticizes an op-ed by Marc A. Thiessen that urged President Trump to 'take out' Iran's leadership, calling it an act of 'unprovoked war' rather than 'presidential courage.'

  • The article was published on February 16, 2026.

The players

Nicholas Eberstadt

The author of the previous opinion piece that the article responds to.

Marc A. Thiessen

The author of the op-ed that the article criticizes for urging President Trump to 'take out' Iran's leadership.

Donald A. Newell Jr.

The author of a letter to the editor included in the article, who calls the national debt 'child abuse.'

Marianne S. Rankin

The author of a letter to the editor included in the article, who argues that blaming seniors for economic issues is 'neither accurate nor helpful.'

Robert Tiller

The author of a letter to the editor included in the article, who criticizes the idea of initiating a war against Iran as an act of 'presidential courage.'

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What they’re saying

“The national debt is a taxation without representation upon our future children. Put another way: It's child abuse.”

— Donald A. Newell Jr. (dnyuz.com)

“Thiessen framed undertaking an unprovoked war as an act of 'presidential courage.' How is attacking a weakened foe courageous? What would really be courageous is for Trump to develop a plan, in cooperation with other world leaders, to integrate Iran fully into the community of nations without a war.”

— Robert Tiller (dnyuz.com)

The takeaway

The article highlights the complex and contentious issues surrounding the national debt and foreign policy, raising concerns about the fairness and long-term consequences of current policies and the potential risks of aggressive military actions. It encourages a more nuanced and collaborative approach to addressing these challenges.