Politicians must also live within means

I'd like to praise Leslie Kaehler for her principled stance in the lead story in Wednesday's Daily Herald. The Cook County Board may not be listening to Leslie, but she is able to lodge her protest nonetheless by going out of her way to leave Cook County to do her shopping. She even conveys that it's not worth the money, but it's out of principle that she does so. Very commendable stance.

With few exceptions we are in a time of spending increases, taxation increases and borrowing increases at all level of government.

At the same time, we taxpayers are going through a period of less disposable income. I believe overzealous taxation is theft. Every day at the office, every elected official should be thinking "How can I eliminate the tax burden on my constituents?"

Instead, what we see are debates on spending increases, with one side vocally supporting only a $2 million funding increase to a program while the other insists that it be a $4 million dollar increase for that same program. Where is the elected official who will show personal restraint? It is not their right to have a field day with our tax dollars.

Especially during this time of economic belt-tightening, we need to be telling our elected officials, from federal level to dogcatcher: "Reduce the size of government, reduce the scope of government, reduce spending, reduce borrowing, reduce taxation."

We are forced to live within our means as individuals, and we must remind politicians that they too exist in reality.

Allan Stevo

Independent candidate for U.S. House District 10

Highwood