Editor's Note: This Article was written by Glen Leirer.

It may be time to examine the change we voted for in 2006. According to the major media the voters went for a change in congress from republican to democrat, among other things, because of runaway spending. We were promised the new congress would control spending and get rid of the thousands of earmarks that were ballooning the Federal budget to nearly $3 trillion. Now in 2008 the new congress is about to pass a budget for 2009 of $3.2 trillion with thousands of earmarks by congressman for pork projects.

In case we forget; in 2006 unemployment was at a 40 year low of 4.5%, gasoline was around $2 per gallon, the "dow" was approaching 14000 and home ownership was at an all time high.

Now in 2008 and the new congress has been in power for most of two years unemployment is up to 5.5%, gasoline is over $4 per gallon, the "dow" is struggling to stay above 12000 and millions of families are being forced from their homes by fore-closures.

I believe we can lay most of these problems at the feet of the Democrats. Passing a bill€raising the minimum wage to $5.85 per hour and to $7.15 by 2009 will curtail hiring for entry level and non-skilled workers. Oil prices above $130 per barrel can also be blamed on the democrats in congress because they continue to block drilling for oil in this country. In 1984 President Clinton vetoed a bill that would allow drilling for oil in Alaska's ANWR area. The oil from there would certainly decrease our dependence on oil from other countries and possible keep prices lower. The fore-closures on sub-prime lenders can also be credited to congress and President Clinton for his strengthening of The Community Re-investment Act of 1977, this act encourages banks to make loans to riskier customers.

I continue to hear TV pundits blame President Bush for the above situations. Looks to me like things were pretty good until we elected a Democrat controlled congress in 2006, it must be time to put the Republicans back in control come November. We all must remember, our vote does have consequences.

Go to National Debt Awareness Center web site.