Rauner last chance against state spending enigma

JOHN RUTLEDGE wrote this letter published in the July 26 Dispatch/Argus. "No family, business, or government agency can long exist when it habitually spends more than it takes in. ..... This simple economic axiom is understood by the simplest and least educated among us. It is even understood by our legislators in Washington and Springfield. ..... Why they refuse to avoid financial disaster is one of the mysteries of life. ..... In general, governments arte doing too much for people. ..... Welfare provides money, food stamps, free medical care, as well as meals for the children at school. Citizen groups provide school supplies, free clothing, and more free food by means of food banks. ..... For the first time since man's appearance on earth people finally realize that it is not necessary to work or hold a job in order to maintain a family at an acceptable level of existence. ..... The result is that people lose their independence and depend totally on government support. Governments over-extend spending and huge deficits are incurred. And the working taxpayer gets the bills and pays taxes that continue to rise. ..... I believe that Gov. Bruce Rauner is the last chance for Illinois to reach any type of financial stability. There must be reductions in spending. And there will be pain. ...... We can only hope that it is shared fairly by all. Unfortunately we have a one party political system. ..... It probably would be no different if the monopoly was held by the opposing party."