February 9, 2005
The president's proposed budget has been sent to Capitol Hill.
There will be the usual squabbling between those who want to spend more and those who want to spend much more.
There are some cuts in non- discretionary domestic spending, but war costs are not included.
Neither is the cost of social security reform.
One thing that is missing is what I was taught growing up - thrift, saving, responsible living that includes looking after yourself first.
I was taught it wasn't anyone else's job to look out for me.
It was my job.
Today, we are taught that it is government's responsibility to care for everyone, including illegal aliens.
It is as if Washington has constructed a giant ATM machine, allowing you to make withdrawals at any time.
This attitude is what has produced big government.
I wish President Bush would say something like "take care of yourself, it isn't Washington 's job."
The truly poor and unfortunate can be cared for, but the rest should be saving and investing, spending wisely and not frivolously and looking out for our own retirement.
But don't look for that message to be proclaimed in a "me-first" age.
I'm Cal Thomas in Washington.
Cal Thomas is a nationally syndicated columnist based in Washington, D.C. Watch his television show, After Hours with Cal Thomas, on the Fox News Channel, Saturdays at 11 p.m. Eastern Time.
