The May 24 Ashland Source article about the Village of Savannah applying for a $750,000 federal grant to fund various community projects illustrates exactly what’s wrong in America today (and has been for quite some time).
The projects reportedly include a permanent restroom and an electronic sign at Savannah Academy Park. New basketball and pickleball courts too.
There’s nothing inherently wrong with those proposals.
But how can a nation, like ours, with a $37 trillion and growing national debt, with even more budget deficits forecast, afford to help with funding? The same with providing federal funds for a new terminal at the Ashland County Airport.
Many financial experts have warned our debt and continued budget deficits pose a major economic threat to our country. I believe them.
Yet Washington continues to spend money hand over fist as if nothing bad is ever going to happen.
I think Savannah is a nice place, and I don’t fault local officials for wanting to help their communities.
Moreover, one could argue we’re only getting our tax dollars back. Maybe so.
But if that’s the case, why not let us keep more of our money in the first place? That also would help us avoid any strings attached to the aid.
All this is what happens when we have a huge central government and turn to it for local funding assistance.
We sorely need a national discussion about our debt and spending priorities to educate all Americans about what’s at stake. It could start right here in Ashland County.
Finally, it should be noted many nations, including China and Russia, reportedly have been buying lots of gold. Why? Do they believe gold will be a hedge against debt-driven world economic turmoil that might be coming?
That needs to be part of the discussion as well.
Jeff L. Reed
Ashland, Ohio