Changes needed nationally for brighter future

I wonder what would happen to our deficit if the federal government cut the salaries and benefits of federal employees to make them comparable to workers in the private sector. What would happen if real limits were set on entitlements such as Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security? What if the 71 federal welfare programs that create a nearly one trillion dollar a year welfare state were consolidated and reformed?

What if the decision-making authority for education and transportation were returned to the state and local levels?

I think it is safe to assume that a lot of people would take early retirement. There would probably be no need to shred as many tons of paper that is now the case.

I believe that it is reasonable to assume that there would be a significant number of people that would need to adjust their standard of living.

I also believe that those of the 50 percent category that actually pay taxes would begin to have faith that the United States has a chance to survive, and being to prosper.

We would have nothing to lose by returning education to the state and local levels as our education system is presently the laughing stock of the free world.

Gerald W. Ray, Spokane