America will become a Third World country at this rate

George Washington, as president, was the first of our many elected members, of any governing body, to stick his hands in the pocket of the people.

George created the alcohol tax to support a standing Army and then used it to quell an uprising caused by this tax.

Some taxes are a necessary evil, but lately it has been just short of, if not downright, stealing by these elected officials.

Spending is out of control at all levels in our governing bodies, federal, state and local. In Washington, lawmakers are seeking a domestic discretionary spending hike of 11 percent in 2010 as well as an expensive health care entitlement.

In the absence of spending restraint, closing the budget deficit would require a permanent tax increase exceeding $8,000 per household.

The people have given the governing bodies of this great land the power to do whatever they please. America, once the land of the people, by the people and for the people, is today the land of the strongest party and lobbyists, not the people.

Even though America has cutting-edge technology, it will through complacency and indifference on the part of the people become a Third World country.

There is an old axiom that states, those who fail to learn from history will be doomed to repeat it. But then, how can you learn from history if it is not taught?

Robert E. O'Brien

Lowville