One simple change could save nation

America is at the fork in the road this November: a return to fiscal sanity or continuing down the road to bankruptcy. Forget all of the other political concerns you see and hear in the news. There is only one thing we should consider when going to the polls: the size of our national debt.

Forget the politics; both parties are guilty of spending more than we take in and have been for decades. Politicians of all stripes have proven beyond the shadow of a doubt that their only interest is their own welfare and that of their party. If that happens to coincide with the needs and desires of their constituents, it's strictly coincidental.

Most all politicians are either becoming or fast becoming career politicians, intent on cashing in on the power and money resulting from long-continued stays in office. Yes, there are a few honest politicians, very few. If you can identify any, then what I have to say doesn't apply to them.

You would quickly find yourself out of business if you persisted in spending more than you earned — bankrupt with no credit and having a hard time finding a job to pay the bills with dismal future. Our country is no different — it is on the brink of bankruptcy and no one has been willing to do what it will take to get us back on the right track. Bankruptcy is certain unless we make changes.

One very simple change is the power-hungry career politicians — of both parties — need to be replaced, every last one of them. How to do this? Simply look at your ballot and if they are an “incumbent,” vote for the other guy or gal unless you are positive that the candidate is honest and truly doing his or her best for us.

Sounds simple, it is simple, it can be done. And I hasten to add that this should be done at every governmental level — federal, state, county, city, even down to the school districts.

Sadly, a lot of current politicians represent “safe” districts, inhabited by people too stupid to look beyond the party label, and they will always be with us. But by voting against every incumbent, we will at least pass a strong message to the newly elected, and they just may decide to truly represent us, as they are paid to do.

The alternative? Continue on the road to bankruptcy. In five years at the current pace, America's debt will reach the point at which we will NEVER be able to pay it back. Each of us, you, your children and grandchildren, will owe more than $80,000, and you can be sure our creditors will find some way to get it back. And in the process, America will become a second-class nation.

Is this the legacy you want to leave?

DICK TURLEY

Wellton