To the Editor:

It makes one wonder where common sense has gone.

We have a federal government that has spent the Social Security trust fund and then informs the citizens that we are at or near default. Our tax money is collected at somewhere near 15 percent of gross national product while they spend 25 percent.

Fuzzy math. It sure helps when our citizens can’t do simple math and over 45 percent are either on the dole or work for the system.

By now the debt extension deadline has passed and the results are less than stellar.

The proposed cuts from the Democrats and Republicans are both misleading as both are only talking about increases being cut, not on actual spending right now. It’s far past time for real cuts and a balanced budget amendment.

Locally, our County Court wants to spend $75,000 of Title III money (more borrowed money from the Chinese) on a Rube Goldberg forest feasibility study. They seem to think that the Johnson family, Malheur Lumber Company and local landowners are not capable of running their own private businesses.

Should we spend borrowed tax dollars to study why private business is having a rough time, when common sense dictates the answer? At least if you are going to throw money at every crazy idea that comes along, then spend it here with Grant County people.

You have an elected forest commission which has greater combined experience right here in Grant County and far more common sense, so use them.

Grant County, we deserve better. Call your County Court members, state legislators and congressmen, and let them know.

Jim Sproul

Canyon City