Ending unnecessary spending programs

Over the years, payroll taxes collected have supported Social Security payments. Until recently, payroll deductions easily covered the payments. The excess was used by our current Congress members to "invest" in other government programs. Unfortunately, in 2010 and 2011, there was an actual shortage in payroll deductions. Government borrowed money from investors and from the Federal Reserve to cover the Social Security checks. Experts forecast a funding shortage for this year as well.

Longtime members in Congress have failed us by not following their own plan to pay back Social Security. Wasteful, unnecessary programs with well-intentioned names are rampant in Washington, D.C. When Bob Parker gets to Congress, he'll work to end such unnecessary spending programs that benefit only specific interest groups. We need to return to fiscal sanity, for our seniors, our veterans and our children.

Jo Ann Emerson has been there long enough. Vote for Bob Parker, pro-life, pro-gun Republican candidate for Congress. Vote Republican on Tuesday.

LARRY BILL, Lt. Col., U.S. Air Force, retired, 2543 Prairie View Trail, Jackson, MO 63755