Ryan Binkley, Sarah Zubiate-Bennett, and Abteen Vaziri discuss fiscal responsibility, government spending, and faith on Let’s Talk Local. | Image by Let’s Talk Local
Long-term debt, not artificial intelligence, may pose the greater threat to America’s future, Dallas businessman and pastor Ryan Binkley said during the final segment of a Let’s Talk Local conversation on fiscal responsibility, political leadership and faith.
Host Sarah Zubiate-Bennett asked Binkley and entrepreneur Abteen Vaziri what the country must change to preserve opportunity for the next generation.
Vaziri argued that fraud and waste in government programs can weaken taxpayers’ confidence that public money receives proper oversight. He said elected leaders from both parties have failed to treat taxpayer dollars responsibly.
“So much money is wasted. So much money is gone,” Vaziri said.
Binkley said the country’s reliance on deficit spending could leave younger Americans with fewer opportunities. He contrasted that risk with concerns over AI, saying technology may disrupt jobs but federal debt could create a deeper national breaking point.
“I think it’s going to be our long-term debt,” Binkley said. “We better do some systemic things to grow and cut down our deficit and eventually balance the budget.”
The conversation also examined campaign money and why accomplished business leaders may avoid elected office. Both guests argued that government needs leaders who understand budgets, execution and accountability.
Zubiate-Bennett then asked which single factor, including faith, family, immigration, technology or economic growth, would matter most to America 20 years from now.
Vaziri chose faith, saying it strengthens families, service and economic opportunity.
“Faith allows you to be family oriented and want to do for your community, and that allows economic growth,” Vaziri said.
Binkley, the co-founding pastor of Create Church, described faith and purpose as the foundation for his work in business, ministry and politics. He said setbacks had reinforced his belief that people must continue pursuing their calling.
“The greatest thing we can teach the next generation is to know God and to hear his voice and then to be led by God,” Binkley said.
Watch the full conversation to hear Binkley and Vaziri discuss government waste, deficit spending, political influence, faith and the future they hope to leave the next generation.