PRESIDENT: Sir, time to go fish

I have been silent too long, and it seems common sense has gone out the window. Mr. President, you are growing a large group of voters with their hands out. “Give a man a fish to eat and when he gets hungry he will stick out his hand for another fish.” You should teach him to fish and send him on his way. I really believe you want to help everyone in need but the best help anyone can give is temporary with the word to get off their duff and help themselves.

Minimum wage should be low enough to give the employee the desire to improve and move up the ladder. No employer wants people working for them that are content to stay at minimum wage. Even the military has the up or out program and it works!

Now for the way that Congress is working. If you want to get things done for either side, don’t start the process by telling the people on the other side of the aisle that they are stupid. Show them your idea and explain the reasons behind it. Then back it up with facts. Don’t insist that they throw out the stew when adding salt will fix the problem. Start looking for answers instead of making more problems. Treat the other side as you would want to be treated. You both are acting like small children in the school yard and are due to be kept after school until you can get along. Where did you leave common sense?

DAVID E. SHERIDAN

Coeur d’Alene