This responds to, "Political pledges," (Letters, Dec. 18). It is uninformed to conclude that a single political party is responsible for the nation's bankrupting debt. In 2009-10 the Democrat Party controlled all elements of the government, and in two years the national debt climbed at a faster pace than any previous administration.

The last Republican president also had unsustainable deficit spending, causing huge national debt. Today's Senate has Democratic majority. Why has there been no Senate budget vote in 1,000 days?

Why has the Senate Majority Leader blocked at least 28 GOP lead House bills that create jobs in the private sector and many that eliminate tax loop holes for the wealthy? Because, the Senate majority leader knows that enough Democrats will vote with the Republicans on many of these bills, forcing the president to veto or approve these GOP initiatives. This president will not accept either of these outcomes.

Let's get this correct, it's "majority rule with minority rights." The Constitution protects rights of the minority, which makes us a republic. Lincoln was in the minority when he signed the Emancipation Proclamation. Changing the Constitution to have majority rule without protection of minority rights appears to be what the author of the "Political pledge" letter wants.

BILL ROOT, Kennewick