\n Ryan Binkley, Sarah Zubiate-Bennett, and Abteen Vaziri discuss fiscal responsibility, government spending, and faith on Let\u2019s Talk Local. | Image by Let\u2019s Talk Local <\/p>\n
Long-term debt, not artificial intelligence, may pose the greater threat to America\u2019s future, Dallas businessman and pastor Ryan Binkley<\/a> said during the final segment of a Let\u2019s Talk Local <\/a>conversation on fiscal responsibility, political leadership and faith.<\/p>\n Host Sarah Zubiate-Bennett asked Binkley and entrepreneur Abteen Vaziri<\/a> what the country must change to preserve opportunity for the next generation.<\/p>\n Vaziri argued that fraud and waste in government programs can weaken taxpayers\u2019 confidence that public money receives proper oversight. He said elected leaders from both parties have failed to treat taxpayer dollars responsibly.<\/p>\n \u201cSo much money is wasted. So much money is gone,\u201d Vaziri said.<\/p>\n Binkley said the country\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it\u2019s going to be our long-term debt,\u201d Binkley said. \u201cWe better do some systemic things to grow and cut down our deficit and eventually balance the budget.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Zubiate-Bennett then asked which single factor, including faith, family, immigration, technology or economic growth, would matter most to America 20 years from now.<\/p>\n Vaziri chose faith, saying it strengthens families, service and economic opportunity.<\/p>\n \u201cFaith allows you to be family oriented and want to do for your community, and that allows economic growth,\u201d Vaziri said.<\/p>\n Binkley, the co-founding pastor of Create Church<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n \u201cThe greatest thing we can teach the next generation is to know God and to hear his voice and then to be led by God,\u201d Binkley said.<\/p>\n