Columnist: Americans are angry

Published 12:00 am Thursday, February 4, 2016

Larry Summerour

Contributing columnist

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All the polls tell us that Americans are angry.

Yes, Americans were very angry during the Vietnam War because of Lyndon Johnson’s duplicity. As I have said before, Johnson is the worst president in U.S. history. Americans had a right to despise him.

However, I believe that Americans are more angry now than they were in the 1960s. The question is, should Americans be so mad? I believe they have a legitimate right to be upset. Here are some reasons why.

Most important, the United States is now $19 trillion in debt. If we continue to ignore this problem, it is inevitable that our government will eventually file for bankruptcy.

Who is to blame for this debacle? We have to blame our leaders in Washington — Republicans and Democrats — for this travesty. Unfortunately, we have two liberal parties in Washington. They have consistently shown that they can’t balance budgets. What a bunch of incompetent people we have in Congress.

Nevertheless, we also have to blame the American voters. Voters typically send the same irresponsible people back to Congress. I don’t have much respect for the American people because they don’t hold liberal members of Congress — Republicans and Democrats — accountable.

I believe very much in term limits for members of Congress. The problem, however, is these members want to stay there for a long time. Why? Because they have a good salary with plenty of benefits. I guarantee that their benefits are much better than yours. Members of Congress should serve no more than eight years, just like the president.

The National Taxpayers’ Union repeatedly reports that half the tax money you send to Washington is wasted. Last year I paid a lot of money to Uncle Sam.

When I would write a check I would cringe. Why? Because I knew Congress and the president would find a way to borrow more money.

What we need in Washington are people who will work hard to balance budgets. I am in very good shape financially because my father taught me to live below my means. This simply means that you learn to control your spending.

Perhaps Ted Cruz is the only candidate who has the intestinal fortitude to radically change things in Washington. I like Cruz because most members of Congress — Republicans and Democrats — can’t stand him. He is willing to take on the establishment. I am glad someone is willing to do it.

Larry Summerour of Troup County is a retired pastor who enjoys political commentary.