This “open letter” to President Trump from Tom Smith, founder of the Thomas W. Smith Foundation, was published in Real Clear Politics and contains some excellent advice:

Dear President Trump:

I voted for you in all three of your presidential campaigns. The first time, I cast my vote with cautious optimism. The third time, with enthusiasm…

Your first 100 days were extraordinary, but if your presidency is to be remembered not just as bold but also historic, one challenge must rise above all others: – the national debt.

The national debt, currently $37 trillion, is the result of pervasive fiscal irresponsibility, accumulated over many decades. Our annual interest payments now exceed $1 trillion – more than we spend on our national defense…

Mr. President, here are several all-encompassing, culture-changing, deficit-attacking actions you can announce tomorrow:

1. Lead by example: Cut White House expenses by a defined percentage. Report the savings to the public every quarter.

2. Challenge Congress: Ask every member to cut their office and committee budgets. Suggest at least 10%. Publish a quarterly report on every senator and representative.

3. Eliminate pork-barrel projects: Call on Congress to abolish earmarks. Shine a light on every remaining earmarker until they fall in line.

4… Instruct all agencies to focus on rooting out waste, fraud, duplication, and incompetence, and report the progress quarterly. Say explicitly that you will monitor progress and report the bold and expose the complacent.