I wish the government would operate like a family on a budget.

During the last few years, my family hasn’t qualified for one single bailout program. We are living check to check and live in fear of something happening before we are able to pay off debt and build up our savings. We are controlling our day to day living costs and paying off credit card debt one card at a time. Using debit cards as much as we can and only allowing ourselves a credit card charge when an emergency arises. We have two 20-something children living with us due to their life changes and have drawn closer due to the circumstances and economy.

Why can’t the government be the same?

I see expensive Super Bowl commercials about the census and hear of the census bus tour at the expense of the taxpayer. The media is covering this subject from the local to national level and I wonder why the government is wasting our money. Is my family purchasing top of the line items right now rather than looking for the better value? No!

Last year, I heard of people trading in their vehicles for the government Cash for Clunkers program and buying vehicles that got only marginally better miles per gallon. The trade-in vehicle had to have 18 mpg or less rating. Why wasn’t there a minimum miles per gallon requirement on the vehicle they purchased?

Common sense appears to be absent in Washington. I’m hoping the fall elections will give politicians a much needed dose.