Letter: Why aren't we screaming?

To the Newton Independent:

Mr. and Mrs. Taxpayer, why do we write to the editors, argue and/or discuss on blogs? Do we ever accomplish anything or is it just our nature to write books, columns and such? And why are politics and religions such hot subjects? Why does the United States and we the people spend money we don't have?

It seems our local and U.S. government, plus we the people, could use some tutoring on money management, or in other words, staying within a budget. I wonder too, who might be qualified to establish and teach budget and money management?

Then, too, perhaps we and our governments could use a little tutoring on anger management. We should be able to play nice and be fair with one another. Why is war needed to establish peace?

Finally, why do our two main parties, Democrat and Republican both, claim to love America but will not work together for the good of our nation? Why do our politicians allow lobbyists in the same room with them?

I read in different places that our U.S. Treasury borrows to fill the gap between revenue and outlays and debt is soaring. In fiscal year 2010, the budget office projects that the public debt will increase by $1.75 trillion. In other words, roughly $15,000 per household. Some say by 2015 the cumulative rise in debt will exceed $6 or maybe $7 trillion.

OK, if we would all chip in $15,000 and send it straight away to the IRS would the United States' budget be in the black? Not hardly, only if we gave this donation every six months, I think.

All of these stimulus packages, like $19 million to Whirlpool from our nation's treasury (or borrowed money) and the $6.5 million from our state are good examples of increasing our debt for generations to come. I ask, if you had been asked to give donations to Whirlpool would you have done so? Iowa's population is about 3 million people so you can see about what your share would have been.

Don't you think we should be doing a better job at home and be screaming like a smashed cat to our President and all of the other political leaders in our country?

James Wilson McKinstry
Newton