Vote Republican to restore state, nation

This could be the most important of our lifetime. Debt and spending in the U.S. and in Illinois have reached disastrous proportions in the context of a slow growing economy and high unemployment, and global financial difficulties and political upheaval. The status quo cannot survive without putting future generations at risk.

On Nov. 6, the American people will have a clear choice: take a decisive step toward more government control, where citizens and businesses are increasingly taxed to “pay their fair share,” in the name of equality and social justice; or move closer to our Founders’ constitutional government, restoring the rule of law, federalism, free enterprise, and individual initiative and responsibility.

The U.S. is now $16 trillion in debt, an unprecedented level that exceeds 100 percent of our gross domestic product. The only time we have approached such a proportion was the end of World War II, when global war threatened our very survival as a nation. The current debt is being fueled by annual deficits of more than $1 trillion since President Obama took office.

Illinois has some $8 billion in current debt, and taxpayers are on the hook for more than $200 billion in unfunded retirement costs for government workers. Our state has the worst pension funding gap in the nation, and the system could be the first to go broke. Gov. Quinn, House Speaker Madigan and other Democratic leaders have been unwilling to solve the state’s fiscal crisis as pension payments increasingly crowd out spending on core services such as health care and education.

I hope independent minded voters will join me in supporting federal, state and local Republican candidates who, if elected, will help restore strength and stability to our great nation and renew the promise of America for our children and grandchildren.

Charles Simpson

St. Charles