The money doesn't grow on trees

In considering the quandary faced by Governor Rauner and the Republicans over the budget in Springfield, I'm reminded by a comment made by my dad years ago, "How do you run against Santa Claus?"

Local governments and seemingly innumerable other agencies have grown accustomed to having money magically appear every year without having to worry about where it comes from. Often, we as individuals, have become accustomed to receiving services without any thought to where the money comes from to pay for them. Every year, the extent and cost of government-supported programs grows, and I think most of us would accept that it is because of good intentions rather than just buying votes.

So how do we get our politicians in Springfield, or Washington, D.C. for that matter, to take responsibility for limiting expenditures to match income?

I guess that as long as we can keep up the illusion that the shortfall is only because someone else isn't paying their fair share, the charade will continue.

Thomas Kupferer

Naperville