PUBLIC VIEWPOINT: An Impossible Dream For Our Country?

The U.S. economy is central to our national existence. Its condition is key to our national well-being.

Economic progress or decline depends on the balance of competing interests, both short- and long-range.

In my view, examples of negative interests include massive, worldwide military spending; effective control of Congress by big money; continued swelling of the national debt; neglect (benign?) of many key branches of the economy; general congressional paralysis;

and outright purchase of iconic U.S. companies by foreigners. The recent failure to pass the farm bill illustrates some of the easier problems.

Examples of positive, or potentially positive, effects are associated with restoration and further development of infrastructure (transportation, energy, smart grid); education;

healthcare, social programs and broad based technological advances.

I’d like to see actual (not budgeted) military spending cut in half with the proceeds recycled to the needs listed above.

But that is probably an impossible dream because (for example) such spending is widely distributed in every congressional district.

I’m still looking for a solution.

BILL MILLAGER

Rogers