As 2015 is ending, I see a lot of political types want to raise wages by government fiat or wanting the government to do more for people to get their vote.

We need to hear more about lowering costs and prices and curbing government costs and regulations.

Try to think of 1955. A $12,000 a year income was like $100,000 today. A mandated federal basic 1955 wage was 75 cents an hour, equal to about $6 now or $12,000 a year. Difference between basic then and well off less than $11,000.Today about $88,000 difference!

A Nash Rambler in 1955 was about $1,800 with no Minnesota sales tax. A house and a lot was often less than $9,000 in 1955. In 1955, the Minnesota state budget was less than one billion. It’s now over $40 billion! In 1955 the federal budget was less than $100 billion. Now it’s over $3 trillion! The 2015 budget deficit is over $100 billion. In 1955, the population of the United States was about $155 million. Now it’s over $315 million.

More two income couples today are well off and tend to marry each other and often have soaring incomes. Often today the poor have multiple government programs that are a disincentive to marry. Divorce and non-marriage grows as a lifestyle. It’s not good for children or self-support.

In 1955, there were fewer persons in prisons but many more in state mental hospitals than today. In 1955 there were fewer gun control laws and less mass shootings. In 1955 there was less rock and rap music with bad lyrics and more smooth music. In 1955 there were more hetrosexual married couples and less divorced and single parents.

We need to cut the cost of basic shelter and other necessities. We need less government spending so political officials don’t try to buy votes with other people’s money.

Think about it.

 

Tom Schleck

Albert Lea