NEW YORK — Michael A. Peterson, President and CEO of the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, commented prior to Wednesday night’s presidential debate, which will include “debt and entitlements” as a dedicated topic for discussion:

“The national debt is a primary topic for tonight’s debate — and for good reason. For the first year since 2009, deficits as a share of GDP are on the rise again and our long-term outlook remains dangerously unsustainable. America’s debt is already at high levels and is poised to soar in the decades to come as the baby boom generation retires and interest costs compound — threatening our ability to invest in our economic future.

“Tonight’s debate presents a valuable opportunity for both candidates to put forward their ideas for putting the country on a more solid fiscal foundation, by stabilizing and reducing the debt as a share of the economy over the long term. Voters are calling on candidates to put forward specific plans because it’s our economic future that’s at stake. The third and final presidential debate is the perfect venue for a substantive discussion about the many solutions available to put our nation on a more sustainable and prosperous path.”

See our suggested questions that moderator Chris Wallace could ask to start the conversation about our nation’s most pressing fiscal concerns.