Whatever happened to those old-fashion virtues such as: “living within our means,” “being grateful for what we have” and “saving for a rainy day”? Your money is your business but public money is our business. It seems that public servants, at all levels, are determined to spend us into poverty.

One example is the search for a superintendent. This super salary and benefits package could be used to hire as many as five new teachers, but I suspect that teachers and programs will be cut instead.

City and county leaders must not read the paper as it would be difficult to overlook the pages of foreclosures. Unless you’ve been living in a cave, you must know that over the last 30 years we’ve lost several thousand people and jobs. 2009 is off to a bad start and most likely will be rough.

On a state level, believe it or not, representatives are still contemplating stadiums for millionaires to play games. Evidently a collapsed bridge is yesterday’s news and today is business as usual. I can’t remember the last time I misplaced $5 billion.

Topping the cake is the “joke” referred to as federal government. Perhaps some view an 11 trillion dollar national debt as an example of fiscal restraint and responsibility, personally I see it as treason.

Everybody in Washington seeks to portray themselves as champions of the common man but a trillion dollar bailout tells otherwise. This is a thank you to those who pumped millions into political campaigns. I do not know a single common man who owns a Learjet.

We cannot handle any more debt or taxes of any kind for any reason. Deficit spending is cutting our throats. Public servants, I beg you, get a grip!

Doug Schultz

Albert Lea