What was missing during debt debate

In light of the high tension, and apparently angry negotiations, that went on regarding our national budget, I share my expectations regarding the conduct of our elected leaders.

1. Respect. Patriotic Americans do have different ideas about the needs, goals and roles of state and federal government. I expect all Americans to refer to President George W. Bush, President Barack Obama and similarly also to the titles of all office holders.

2. Wars are costly. It could be that Bush and Obama made the right decisions, in light of the terrible attacks that our country endured at the hands of radical groups, to fight these battles overseas and not at home. And yet not once in the budget negotiations did I hear about the huge price that all of us must pay for keeping our nation free. Shouldn't we expect to pay more taxes to keep our nation free? (These dollar prices do not even begin to address the huge price that the young men and women, who have and are actually doing the fighting, pay on our behalf).

3. All men (and women) are created equal. Our Constitution is correct. Why then should the rich get richer and the poor get poorer? Why should the poor and the middle class bear most of the burden for the recent national financial “agreements?”

One of the richest men in America, Warren Buffett, is eloquent in his understanding of “equal sacrifice for equal wealth.”

Gene Hermeier

Decorah