Attention Letter to the Editor Department: Things re As They Really Are - And Not Otherwise I love America and the freedoms that we currently enjoy. However, we have an out of control problem with no apparent end in sight – government spending is spiraling out of control. Make no mistake that we as citizens are equally at fault. We have cast the votes to elect politicians of both parties allowing this trend. Politicians, after the last presidential election, have gone from excessive speeding to clearly pressing the pedal to the metal of insatiable spending bliss. I find it interesting and alarming when I hear discussions and read opinions concerning our out of control state and federal debt. Two themes generally emerge with one being that we do have a huge problem and two being that most agree that spending cuts have to occur – as long as they do not affect them or their families. That is primarily how we got in this mess in the first place! This childlike pretending has got to end. As a child growing up on the family dairy farm I was taught by word and deed that money does not grow on trees – success requires hard work, living within your means and personal sacrifice. These are lessons that today’s politicians should use instead of making emotionally driven decisions to get reelected. Things are as they really are – and not otherwise. For our children’s and grandchildren’s sake, government’s empty searches for cosmetic solutions have got to stop! In my family many years ago we decided to make significant sacrifices to pay off our home mortgage. We discussed this goal with our young children about specifics ranging from less new clothes, shoes, activities, and driving old cars. After much discussion about the future rewards, everyone agreed to support our family goal. It took a few years but we succeeded. Everyone had experienced sacrifice, the discipline of living within our means and the long term freedoms that come with being debt free. We as Americans better do our homework, think for ourselves, and make better decisions at the polls. When we pull the lever to vote for a candidate we cannot have our other hand outstretched for immediate payback. If we want our posterity to experience a love of America and freedom, we better quit pretending and see things as they really are. We need to elect politicians that possess a trait that our military men and women possess – courage. They, their staff and their families will need it! R.D. Coffman Beverly, Ohio coffman_ralph@yahoo.com