Get Washington out of entitlement business

When the government promises an increase in funding for one group or another - that promise results in an increase in your taxes. People seem to think that those funds originate from the government's coffer. Wake up, people! Those funds start with you and me. The government doesn't have any money of their own. Only what they can forcibly take from you the taxpayer. (And they do)

Years ago the people were the focus of importance. In today's world, the government is the main focus. The government began to make promises to various individuals that worked for the state. It really started with the members of the Congress. They began to set themselves up with great retirement programs. Just a little at a time in the beginning. When no one questioned them, they took a little more.

Then they started talking to their friends and supporters/fundraisers and they liked the fact that the government was getting away with highway robbery and wanted part of the action. So it began to grow. Including firefighter, police, forest ranger, state employees and then teachers. You must remember at one time all public worker/educators were supported by the community they lived and worked in. That was before the people in the know began to over-regulate things and drive businesses out of our country creating an entitlement society.

One would think that what we see going on is part of a bigger picture. Perhaps that picture includes the focus of power coming from one place and that place is Washington, D.C. Look at what just a few people have done to ruin one of the greatest countries in the world. We are now being told that the free market and capitalism is bad. That we should look to Europe as an indication to the future of our country.

We can only hope that the people wake up and tell Washington to stop spending and get out of the entitlement business.

William Swearingen

Elgin