Judson Duncan’s letter of Aug. 22 cannot go unchallenged. He presented a radical anti-Republican rant.

Federal spending bills originate in the Republican-controlled House, true. Omitted was that they must be approved by the Democrat-controlled Senate, which has refused to consider a new budget in three years.

On excessive military spending — the U.S. does not have 10 super-carrier battle groups; there are 11 carrier strike groups consisting of one super carrier, two guided missile cruisers, two anti-aircraft warships and one or two submarine destroyers or frigates. Where would we be if our 9/11 enemies did not fear our power of retaliation?

One modern nuclear-powered carrier costs $22 billion. If the other ships in the group cost (generously) about one-half of that, Duncan’s trillion dollar figure for a strike group cost is not accurate.

When Republicans lost spending control of Congress in 2006-10, what did Democrats do to correct the deficit picture? Nothing.

When George W. Bush took office in 2000, the national debt was $5.5 trillion; in 2006, when Democrats took control it was $8.5 trillion; and, in 2012, it is now $16 trillion.

Pushing the envelope further, Duncan alleged that the Republicans are purposefully trying to bankrupt the country so it would appear we cannot afford Medicare, Social Security and other social programs.

He clearly does not let the facts get in the way of his conclusions.

Peter Liscomb, Durham