Return to responsibility must start somewhere

I was raised by first-generation American parents who taught their children to earn money before spending it, not the other way around.

There are some things that we either need or badly want, that are so costly that we either have to do without them or borrow money to have them. When we borrow, we should also have a workable plan for paying off the debt.

Everything is a trade-off, or at least it should be, but we seem to be living in a world where this is not the case.

In tough times, we used to rely on family, church, and neighbors. Now we rely on the government, at one level or another.

We need to take some responsibility for ourselves rather than expect it from the government.

Our elected representatives seem unable or unwilling to take that same hard look at their committed expenses.

The federal government can print money. All others can finance their endeavors by selling bonds, bills, bank loans and just plain paying only what must be paid. That is the default option taken by the state of Illinois. Sooner or later, there will be nowhere to go to borrow more money. Then what happens?

Are we just putting off the inevitable?

Last fall. we elected a governor whose stated goal is to reduce our state debt. A very ambitious but worthwhile objective. The problem is that no one wants to be a member of the group whose goodies are being reduced.

I get that, but something must change. All the money wasted on interest could be used to make Illinois a better place to live for all of us.

Let's support the governor's efforts to solve these financial problems. It has to start somewhere.

Barbara Neuman

Grayslake