Shortfalls

We hear about budget shortfalls all too often these days. The United States sadly has spent itself into a corner. We as Americans need to consider saving rather than spending on both the personal and national levels.

That being said I am concerned about the trends I am seeing in state government. Education and aid to vulnerable populations are both suffering cuts. I fully agree that tough choices need to be made but it is disturbing how those least able to speak are being affected.

This is no time to be cutting the legs out from the struggling. Jobs may be coming back slowly, but nowhere near as fast as they are needed. People are being forced to choose between food and rent, medicine and utilities. And as a result of the recession, contributions to charitable assistance programs are down. There is literally less help to go around.

I am not saying that reform would not save state economies money. But examine the cost first. And make sure that it is indeed reform and not out and out cuts.

One of the things that this country is and will be judged on is how it treats the "least of these". Right now it doesn't look so good.