THE US REPORT

I keep hearing presidential candidates talk about change. I have to say it's high time the federal government changes. Gov. Mitt Romney's 'Washington is broken' tagline is an ever-present echo.

I ask myself if there's a candidate who can bring about change. So far, the Democrats have promised to raise taxes. No change there. The Republicans have promised to do something about securing the border, but declare (as do the Dems) something must be done about the millions already here illegally. No change there except for the millions in healthcare expenditures. 

In my opinion, the parties are  missing the boat. Candidates have promised change since the country was founded. What we need to do is go back to basics and do the job of running this country efficiently, eliminating fraud, waste and earmarks. Instead of change, I'd like to hear the word, 'Shrink.' We've built a monstrosity of government with structures canny administrators have grown into power blocs. Consider the relatively young US Dept. of Education. Consider the tons of money spent on nonessentials.

Our children cannot possibly fund the government we are building at present. Meanwhile, every time an American walks into a meeting at the UN, it costs the American taxpayer.

Change. That's the oldest pickup line in politics.

(filed by Kay B. Day)

Come see me today at the Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., library, where I'll talk about writing during the panel sessions for the annual book fair. Full details are at Covering Florida.