Explaining the Demise of the Chicago Sun-Times

Neil Steinberg painted this week's tea party demonstrations as anti-veteran movements in a column published on April 17.

Personally, I think he's just trying to generate controversy to gain relevance and help sell his dying newspaper, which is understandable. He's just trying to save his job.

Unfortunately, Steinberg's complete lack of understanding about why the tea parties actually occurred probably will result in drawing more people away from the Sun-Times than toward it.

Mr. Steinberg, the protests were not a condemnation of federal taxes; they were a protest against how taxpayers' money is being misspent by government. If you can grasp that simple concept, Mr. Steinberg, you'll realize that it renders your entire opinion piece invalid.

Of course, I will continue to easily dismantle the rest of your opinion piece. First, I challenge you to find a single protester who does not support the military or taking care of aging vets. National defense is a wise use of taxpayer money. No protester is advocating otherwise.

Second, you totally miss the meaning of limited government. It is not a limitation on the creation of new agencies and services of benefit to Americans; in fact, the Constitution was designed expressly to allow such government growth.

When people say "limited government," this is what they mean: Spend tax money wisely. Don't spend beyond your means. Work within a budget, and don't bankrupt our nation. Unfortunately, protesters are seeing a complete lack of fiscal responsibility at the national, state and local levels, passing debt-creating legislation that will take generations to pay off and leave our country vulnerable to foreign debt holders.

Combining those two points, it's easy to torpedo your entire assertion: Advocating "limited" government spending can easily be accomplished without cutting essential military and veterans services. 

Using your own words, "Where do federal tax dollars go?" -- perhaps you could gain sorely needed readership by answering that question in a future column. Especially if you highlight where federal tax dollars might be perceived by some as being wasted, or adding to our nation's debt load. I'm sure many protesters would prefer to read about that instead of maligning their intentions in a blatant attempt at sensationalizing a news event. 

It's a shame when an unpaid amateur like me can offer more insight on these protests than a paid "professional" such as yourself, Mr. Steinberg ... just one more reason why the Chicago Sun-Times is wobbling on its last legs.