What Would C. Oregonians Ask, Tell Congress?
President Obama, in his Monday evening speech, tried to convince Americans that his answer to the mounting deficit is better for the nation as a whole. House Speaker John Boehner tried to do the same.
But what the dueling speeches sparked for some on the High Desert was even more frustration, and some choice words, when I talked to some on Tuesday.
“There’s no compromise let’s get serious about this thing,” said Bend resident Lloyd Kesterson. “If they let this thing go into the tank, they might as well look for a very long vacation, because we ought to remove all of them and put new people that know what to do — and have the backbone to do it.”
Americans want a deal, and the most balanced deal at that.
Some argue, Congress is all talk and no action, but even the talk is getting catty. Many Central Oregonians want to simply ask Congress: Why?
“Why is it that they can’t sit in a room together and make intelligent decisions and move forward?” asked Kristi Giles, another Bend resident. “I mean, there has to be cuts. They can’t keep raising the taxes — that isn’t the answer.”
Some claim the government has maxed out its credit card, so to speak — and it should learn how to live within its means, just like the rest of us.
“If you and I went to the bank and said, “Could you raise our credit limits because we can’t pay what we have down here, but we would if you give us more?” you think they would give it to us? I don’t think so,” said Wanda Hardgrave of Bend.
The national debt rises $75 million about once an hour. With figures like that, some say it’s time for America to start taking care of America.
“We send so much money to different countries ,and while I know there is great issues there, look around us here too,” Giles said on Tuesday.
Tired of federal spending, tired of the lack of compromise and tired of waiting — for some, their debt ceiling patience could run out come next Tuesday.
“Do the right thing, quit fooling around, do the job that we would all do if we were back there dong their job — and we will be if they don’t straighten it up,” said Kesterson.
