Can't keep throwing money at problems

Stimulus package? Shouldn't this be referred to as the largest, liberal-government-spending spree in the history of mankind?

In a Feb. 10 Daily Herald article, I think Susan Vrenios has it right, as most of the others do, in that lower tax rates and less government regulation is really the way to provide long term relief and stimulus.

Ms. Vrenios's quote, "I am rarely impressed by the government's spending of my money" is not only accurate, but could be the understatement of the year. We have heard the term "shovel ready projects" being used to describe how the states that have projects ready to go, are best suited to grab the cash quicker than the states that don't. It was also reported that the state of Illinois is $9 billion in debt and can't pay its bills.

Contactors are literally going out of business, due to the fact that the big state government projects they were awarded - that they probably thought would not only save their business, but would actually help the company grow - is in default now for lack of payment. I think it's been adequately documented that the government is not the answer to economic stimuli.

I'm not suggesting that we do nothing, but throwing a whole bunch of money at the problem probably will not be the answer. The reason so many manufacturing, engineering and research jobs have left this country is simple economics.

The lower tax rates and less government regulation they get elsewhere, have allowed companies to reduce their costs and survive in a very difficult and competitive global market. The highest corporate tax rates in the world are driving companies out of this country - or out of business - and taking with them precious good jobs, and it's this type of economics that we can't live with.

John Gray

Carol Stream