Support candidates who support responsibility

Two families:

Family One saves money. Takes "staycations" instead of two weeks in Hawaii. They drive a Honda or a Toyota and skip the BMW. They get nice but not pricey clothes at JC Penney, and rather than upgrade a new cellphone every year, they keep their phones for three, four or five years. And when they send their kids to college, they take the money they saved, send their kids to the great Harper College before transferring to a four-year school, and their kids graduate without a hefty student debt.

Family Two does the opposite - vacations in exotic locations every year, trades in their cars for the latest, greatest models, same with the newest iPhone, would never think to buy clothes at a "middle of the road" store, and looks at a massive credit card bill they can never pay off. And when it comes to sending their kids to college, only the best schools will do, and they pay the massive tuition bill with student loans.

Now, Democratic candidates like Elizabeth Warren or Bernie Sanders want all the student loans wiped out. Forget that for some, the debt is self-inflicted, borne out of years of bad spending practices. And what do they say to Family One? Are they going to reimburse them? Reward them for their frugality? Nope. In fact, it gets worse - not only did Family One save for their kids" tuition and prudently pay their kids" college, under some Democratic plans, they will also see their taxes go up because someone has to pay for Family Two's excesses.

If you vote Democratic in the next election, please keep this scenario in mind. Pick a candidate who favors responsibility over excess, a candidate who believes we all pick our own paths and we bear the responsibility for the roads we take.

Jim Gallo

Elk Grove