The Nome nugget., 1950-02-17
A CALL FOR CITIZENSHIP

(By George S. Benson, President Harding College)
 The question you should ask your government today is this: Is my money being used as efficiently and as economically possible? In other words, are the dol lars pay in to government being wasted unnecessar- ily? Maybe you have never stopped to inquire about these things True the right information Is not always at hand and the complicated system of budgeting and appropriations Is not easy to grasp Moreover, sums counted in millions and billions are hard to compre- hend.
 Still the problem of government spending and tax ing calls fo of the most important and far reach ing decisions national leaders will be required to make The men who will have to make these deci- sons your elected representatives and 1t is your money that concerned Those good enough why you ought to be interested But important, what's done this year about taxes and spending may we'll give the to how long America will sur vive. It's your country too!
 In this nation can develop a government economy that is sound and stable, then America will continue to occupy the Mo- place of leadership in the world of tions If the nations financial affairs sound there is good chance that any domestic strain or information al storm may be safely weathered. Having the govern ments business sound basis there is every reason for prosperity and plenty of jobs and high production Then we'll have higher and higher standards of living
 On the other hand there quite few shrewd crit cS of America that disaster ahead One of these IS Joseph Stan, who hopefully longs for an American economic collapse as the easy road to communist America There many others who appreciate the American way, but who are fearful that government spending and taxing policies will carfy the nation to de-
 
 suicide than wasteful spending and heavy taxing.
 That is the larger view. Unfortunately, it is hard for many of people to take this larger view The spend ing situation is therefore serious and the need for tax reform so critical that the utmost in patriotism from people will be required lot of good courage citizenship will be needed to overcome the huge odds that exist against any kind of lasting progress in changing the ways of wasteful government
 During the current session of Congress the recom- mendations of the Hoover Commission to reorganze the executive branch of the federal government either vii lbe put into practical legislation, will be ignored and forgotten Those experts who carefully studied the actual unctoning of the federal government said that from three to five billion dollars could be saved every year just through better and efficient organza tion, without cutting out any present functions.
 It's going to take real citizenship from lot of Americans to get the Hoover Commissions proposals into law This year, when the federal government is overspending its budget by five and half billion dol lars the savings possible through good management and efficient organization would mean lot. There thousand places where savings to the taxpayers be made. These will be made only if you want these ings and demand that they be made
 You ought to get mad enough about this to write all your Congressmen! But if you want to make it some thing really personal just remember that you help ing pay taxes today at rate that exceeds those of the years Remember that regardless of the income tax bracket you're in your family will pay than