The next several years will determine the future direction of our beloved nation. The recent election is our starting point, and the topics discussed must be addressed, if we are genuinely to get back on the right track.

Change in direction is necessary in the following.

Dependency: Our forebears set up a limited government that protected the freedom of the individual. This unique government led in a mere two hundred years to be the most prosperous, innovative and enviable country in the history of mankind. Unfortunately today, many people believe that our government owes them a way of life complete with equal health care, education, pay and any number of other “outcomes.” No longer do we champion hard-working, selfreliant people. Today we mark our success in how many people depend on government. In the last six years, the number of people on food stamps has doubled. In that same time frame, the number of individuals receiving Social Security disability benefits has also doubled. Without question, government should provide a safety net, but not a blanket that destroys incentive. The dependency culture has given rise to increased drug abuse, single-parent families and generational poverty. It has been a long time in the making and it will not be solved quickly. However, consistent effort to change from dependency on big government to reliance on self, family and community is needed.

Education: This topic is perhaps the most important that must be dealt with now. First, Common Core must be eliminated from our culture. It is not an improvement in educational standards. In fact, it lowers students into a class of mediocrity. Strong consistent efforts should be exercised in all states to push for more technical schools that will be a pathway to a broad number of good paying jobs. This is particularly important when you consider the high cost of college education. For the years of 2012-2013, the average tuition in state colleges was $8,655 for in-state students; this prevents many from attending college. Costs continue to escalate due to the salary levels of professors. The national average salary for professors in all universities is $98,978, for associate professors are $69,911 and for assistant professors is $58,663. Continued escalation must be curbed. Another factor is the composition of the political persuasion of the educators involved. Since the 1980s, the liberal segment has steadily increased with the finding today that 7-of-9 are liberal for each of any other persuasion. Unless this strong tilt to the left is not brought into a more balanced situation, the thought process of the student will not receive the full understanding of life in the real world and our country will falter and flounder helplessly in the complex economy that exists today.

Fiscal Responsibility: This topic is unfortunately avoided by many individuals as the dollar amounts are so large that they feel overwhelmed by them. In spite of the discomfort, it is essential that all need to try to follow and comprehend. Our national budget is composed of three major categories. First, there is mandatory spending, which is 65 percent of the budget. Next is discretionary spending, which is 29 percent and finally interest on the national debt which is 6 percent. In the 2015 budget proposal sent to Congress by the President, 50 percent of the mandatory spending was on Social Security and 39 percent was on Medicare and health. In both of these areas, this level of spending is unsustainable. In regards to Social Security, in 1960 there were 5.1 workers producing dollars for every 1 retiree. In 2010, there were 3.0 workers for every retiree and by 2030 there will only be 2.2 workers for every retiree. It is apparent that modifications must be made for this system to remain workable. Here are two primary suggestions to consider:

1) Raise the eligible age to receive benefits from both of the above noted programs for those under the age of 55 initially to 67 and gradually to 70. This is not unreasonable, as life longevity has increased significantly since the inception of the program.

2) Early retirement age should be raised from 62 to 65 now.

It must be clearly understood those already currently on either of these programs are not affected and must be safeguarded.

This would not have any negative effect on those 55 and older.

Discretionary spending also deserves review. The largest area of this spending is defense. It must always be a priority to be strong and alert to those that may not wish us good, but there are always economies to be affected in this area and all other discretionary spending as well. Consider the explosiveness of our national debt, which was less than $11 trillion at the close of 2008 and now currently is almost $18 trillion.

In today’s economy, the interest rate set by the Federal Reserve is near zero. It is only a matter of time, when it is increased to more normal rates of 5 to 6 percent. Imagine the horrendous impact this would have on our debt as it continues to climb. Our country cannot spend its way into prosperity and if this situation perpetuates itself for very much longer our country faces the potential loss of our currency being accepted as the reserve currency for the world. If this loss is sustained our country will be pushed headlong into an economic chaos like we have never experienced previously. Fiscal restraint in all areas must be exercised or we will simply not exist except as a 3rd world type of country.

Opportunity: We are truly blessed to have access to vast quantities of natural resources. However, it is one thing to have them and quite another to not properly utilize them for the benefit of the economy. Natural gas is available to us today due to fracking (safely) and as a result we are number one in the world with this clean fuel. We should expedite the expansion of fuel sites across the nation particularly for the utilization by the trucking industry. Likewise, LNG facilities should be a high priority to be built so that this fuel can be exported to other countries, particularly those in Western Europe that currently are intimidated by Russian suppliers. As more and more oil reserves are discovered our government should be encouraging the development and utilization of this resource. If this is done we have a genuine opportunity to be energy independent with the next several years. Although neither wind nor solar can truly be cost efficient without government subsidy both should be utilized where it is appropriate. Let us unleash this power and help our economy to lift itself to a vibrant position and create a multitude of jobs in the process.

I firmly believe, if concentrated efforts are made by a combination of business and government, which includes both sides of the political aisle, to address the topics noted above as well as those in Part One, our country will be back on the right track for all of our citizens.

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Another View is a Maine Press Association award-winning column written by an individual who is a member of a group of concerned citizens who meet to discuss issues of public interest.