DEJA VU?: Jan Graham of Columbus, Ohio, was doing some genealogy
research on a recent visit home and came across the following
newspaper clipping:

“As members of Congress reconvene at D.C., America is hearing
many familiar promises of economy in government.

“Let’s hope our legislators mean it this time.  Let’s hope they
remember that the staggering debts piled up by government must be
paid out of our earnings and our savings, that what they do to the
public affects our family budget as well.

“Let’s hope that, unlike New Year resolutions, the promises will
be fulfilled.  It’s time they were.  For today, as a result of
reckless spending by our federal, state, and local governments, a
public debt of more than $50 billion has been written up for us,
the workers and the earners of the U.S. to pay.

“Fifty billion dollars! That’s a lot of money.  And it will take
a lot of taxes to pay it off.  The interest and service charges
alone cost us billions every year.  Unless the economists are
wrong, a lot of the bills which these taxes are straining to meet
will be handed down as a grim legacy to our children and our
grandchildren.

“Today our Senators and Representatives at Washington can do
their part.  The eyes of the entire nation are upon them as never
before.  If they keep their promises and apply the brakes instead
of the accelerator to public spending, they will not only ease the
burdens but will set an example for state and local politicians to
follow.

“Let’s hope they meet it squarely — not only with our own relief
in mind, but to assure the security and prosperity of America.”

Apt words as we begin 2010 but not written in the current times.
Jan writes, “No, this was not written with the current Congress in
mind.  This was written for the politicians 74 years ago.  This
appeared in the Jan. 6, 1936, issue of The Era.  Today’s
politicians seem to be following in the same footsteps of
politicians years before their time!”

We don’t know whether to feel assured that our current crisis
isn’t the first our country has faced … or   disturbed that things
never seen to change in Washington, D.C.!