It was recently announced that Shelby County has once again received the highest possible rating from Moody’s Investment Service.

In the present economic crisis, this is quite an accomplishment by our County Commission and staff.

Our county leaders are wrestling with the problems associated with decreased revenues yet, in the face of criticism and adversity, they are showing fiscal conservatism that has served our county so well.

Our county has to live within its means just like you and I do at home.

This means putting off some projects and expenses until times are better, but we are not saddling our children and their children with a mountain of debt.

I wish I could feel as good about our federal government.

In my opinion, the runaway spending at the federal level is a national security issue.

There’s an old joke that your best friend better be the person that holds the mortgage on your house.

I do not like being in the position of needing our best friend to be outside our borders.

According to the New York Times, the budget that has been submitted by the Obama administration projects deficits that are widely considered unsustainable for at least the next 10 years.

Mr. Obama’s own chief economic adviser has asked the question: “How long can the world’s biggest borrower remain the world’s biggest power?” Federal spending must be brought under control.

In fairness, this is not just a political issue of the Democrats. Mr. Obama inherited huge deficits from his predecessor, a Republican.

The political parties must work together to control spending for the sake of our country.

The national government would do well to look at our county for an example of how government can work for the people, even in hard economic times.