You are trying to find a solution for our deficit crisis. Maybe it is time to put this responsibility where it belongs: on us, the citizens. It is time for us to go back to basics. Right now, our nation’s money goes toward:

—Welfare: Families with two healthy parents at home unemployed. There are generations of families that stay on welfare. Single mothers struggle to take care of their children, and some are doing such while expecting.

—Unemployment: People do not accept a job because it does not pay as much as their unemployment checks. We sit at a 9 percent unemployment rate, but everywhere we go, we see “Hiring” or “Help Wanted” signs.

—Disability: People can get up to cash their checks but cannot get up to find a job suitable to their needs.

This is what we are doing to improve it:

—Welfare: Families will be able to use their food stamps in fast-food restaurants. (Isn’t obesity one of the nation’s biggest problems?)

—Unemployment: We are borrowing more millions, so we can keep collecting unemployment for another two years. This debt will be at a steady increase because there is a lack of initiative in people being self-sufficient.

Right now, we are designing a generation that won’t know how to cook without a microwave, add without a calculator or find an address without a GPS. Sometimes, I wonder what would happen if, one day, electricity ceases to exist. Are we doomed for extinction just like our ancient ancestors?

We need to go back to basics. Let’s start at home with parents taking responsibility of their kids, teaching them all those values our grandparents were taught: respect, honesty, reliability and hard work. We can accomplish anything we want through hard work and dedication.

Our grandparents took care of their children, and they were proud people, working hard for everything they got, back when government subsidies were not an option. They made it, and we can, too! I know there are more people that feel the same way I do. This is our country, as well as our debt. Let’s work together to fix it! Lastly, we should remember the words of JFK, “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.”

Norma Illescas
Oklahoma City

Illescas is an immigrant from Guatemala.

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