The federal spending goes on and on

The debt ceiling was $16.7 trillion before the government default was averted. The Daily Herald headline stated in the Oct. 17 edition, “House, Senate pass bill to reopen government, end debt crisis.” The definition of end is “termination” or “the final point in a boundary.” Since the debt will increase from its current level and not be eradicated or decrease at all, the debt crisis has not ended.

The vote actually extended the current level of spending until Jan. 15, 2014, so this should be looked on as a delaying tactic by all involved. I read your paper as well as three others online, and there is no information as to the new debt ceiling other than “it is raised.”

I accessed HR 2775 and found increases in several areas of funding with only one increase disallowed. (The section in italics has a line through it in the bill.) Sec. 129 — Provision deleted. Provides an increase in the rate of operations of $1.7 million for the Office of Special Counsel because of a backlog in whistleblower cases.

I guess Congress wants to ensure that anyone blowing the whistle on them will be delayed in prosecuting.

David Krein

Schaumburg