For years, politicians and pundits have tried to separate the social issues from the economic issues. Social issues (like abortion and marriage) supposedly have nothing to do with economic issues (like the national debt or entitlements). They are much more connected than many liberals and libertarians would like to admit. That is why I wanted to highlight a recent column by Star Parker.

She says it is “simply false that we can consider the challenges to our federal budget without thinking about the state of the American family, our birthrates, and abortion.” Our federal entitlement programs (Social Security and Medicare) nearly account for a majority of our federal budget.

Many of these programs focus primarily on the elderly and are financed through the payroll taxes of the younger population that is working. The ratio between workers and retirees has been decreasing every year. When we had 40 workers for every one recipient, the system worked well. Now the ratio is down to three to one.

Americans are also living longer and having fewer children. Birthrates are dropping significantly. Reasons for the decline include birth control, later marriage, and fewer women choosing to have children. One significant factor often ignored by the media is abortion. One of my guests (Jerry Tuma) created a chart that added in the children aborted to the demographic profile of baby boomers, baby busters, and later generations. It is easy to see the impact abortion is having and will have on paying for federal entitlements.

We cannot change the past, but certainly we might learn from it as we plan for the future. I agree with Star Parker that the best thing that could happen to America’s economic picture would be a “renaissance in American family life” that would include a “restoration of marriage and children” and a “purge of the scourge of abortion.” Economic issues and social issues are more connected than many people might think.