Costs remain: Election worry prompts decisions that increase government bills

When election time rolls around, all of a sudden everybody wants to say "yes."

"Yes" to cost of living increases for all military pension holders.

"Yes" to an increase in the debt limit.

And those are just the federal "yeses." Look for quite a few in other places as well.

And there are some good "yeses." If there ever was a group that deserved to be immune from budget cuts, it is certainly the men and women who have served and are serving this country.

But there are some realities we are going to have to face as this nation struggles with increasing costs and limited revenue. We are going to have to make some choices.

The problem is -- where to cut to keep the budget balanced and this nation strong.

There are consequences to every "yes" -- they come in the form of other budget cuts.

Washington officials must be watched carefully so that a cost of living increase for pension holders does not become a cut in personnel and supplies for those who are still serving.

The money has to come from somewhere -- and we have to let our leaders know from which pots we want it to come.

The realities of budgets often escape the notice of career politicians who are intent upon a re-election campaign.

They will say anything to get past that reckoning at the ballot box. It is only later that they reveal their true colors.

And the result of that "big reveal" is more debt, higher taxes and a future that is a little more than uncertain.

So it is up to the rest of us to remind them that even though they face a ballot box soon, there are real issues that will not be solved by a feel-good vote.

That's why the next few months probably are the most dangerous when it comes to getting decisions made that really are in the best interest of the country.

And that's also why all of us need to keep our ears open and our spidey senses tingling.

Published in Editorials on February 12, 2014 10:27 AM