Op-Ed: What kind of future are we leaving our children?

5 Feb 2010:

As a grandpa I often wonder, what kind of future are we leaving for our children and grandchildren?

With the alarming rise of our national debt, the lack of heavy industry in our country, and the raiding of our social security by countless administrations, I am very concerned.

Today, politicians look at fiscal policy only looking towards the next election cycle. They are not concerned how their spending binges today will impact our nation’s future, and I’m convinced they could care less.  Remember they sold us on international trade and trade agreements like NAFTA, and what do we have to show for it?  Cheaper electronics and fewer good paying jobs with good benefits as major industry fled the U.S. for cheaper labor markets. We were promised this was a good thing for one and all. It never made any sense!

Another personal observation is that government workers not only have the excellent perks, they now have salaries that are well above the private sector.  There was a time only a generation back when my father entered civil service for the good retirement benefits and job security at a lower wage.  It was a good trade off.  Government workers still have all the benefits plus what has become excessive salaries which we, as a nation, will not be able to sustain as our government continues to grow.

Today we have a very professional military that is engaged in a protracted war on terrorism.  As the budget crisis grows there will be cries to slash the defense and intelligence budgets, two of our nation’s largest expenditures, which will gut our nation’s defenses.  I see no other option as a coming day of financial reckoning looms in the not-too-distant future. 

Perhaps that is the grand plan?  To destroy our very defenses from within? To tax the middle class into extinction? To be the first generation to leave a worse future for our children and grandchildren?  Isn’t that a wonderful legacy! That’s what I foresee if the American people won’t start holding their elected officials accountable for their irresponsible actions!

Roger Young The Northwest Veterans Newsletter

 

Related article:

Federal Workers Paid More Than Private Employees For Similar WorkFoxNews – 5 Mar 2010

 

About Roger Young

Roger served with A Troop, 3/17th Air Cav "Silver Spurs" as a Scout Crew Chief in Vietnam from '69 - '70.
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