I don’t often write about national politics because, quite frankly, I don’t understand what is going on in Washington. All I know is what I read from the Associated Press, syndicated columnists, various news Web sites, what I see on network television and what I hear on radio talk shows.

I consider myself a fairly intelligent individual, but national politics is just too complicated for me to comprehend.

At least I admit it. I don’t think ANYONE (media, analysts or politicians) fully understands. Oh, they all talk a good game, but do they really UNDERSTAND?

The one thing I do understand is that we (the United States government) are spending WAY too much money on way too many things we cannot afford.

Spending is completely out of control and not very many of our elected representatives seem to care, much less do anything about it.

Democrats are trying to enact a healthcare reform measure that by most accounts will end up costing billions of dollars and adding tremendously to an already staggering deficit.

Pollsters ask us if we support or oppose the measure. How on earth can anyone answer that when no one seems to know exactly what is in the bill, how much it will cost and how it will affect them?

I believe it will end up costing taxpayers much more that anyone is projecting. All government programs do.

Republicans are opposing this Democrat-backed healthcare bill, citing cost as only one of their reasons.

This fight over healthcare is the “poster child” for the degradation of our legislative system.

The bottom line for me is that I am sick of it all. The people we have elected to represent us in Washington have let us down. I’m not singling out any one or any party. They ALL have.

We cannot continue on the course we are currently taking. We can’t keep spending more money than we take in. Don’t even think about suggesting increasing taxes and fees. Everyone already pays enough.

Let’s talk about CUTTING some items. Let’s reduce federal employment. Let’s reduce congressional benefits. Let’s reduce entitlement programs. Let’s ELIMINATE earmarks. Let’s reduce waste and fraud.

These are all the things Democrat and Republican candidates say they’re going to do “if elected.”

I’d like to see those running for office sign a pledge to not vote for a single new program, not vote for a single increase in ANY agency’s budget, not vote for a pay raise for a single federal employee, vote for a freeze on hiring and vote against any budget that is not balanced.

I can hear some of them now. “A balanced budget? Impossible. There would be chaos!”

Our cities, counties, school districts and states do it. And the cuts they have made are painful.

A similar type of pain is felt by the family who for too long lived beyond their means — buying a house they couldn’t afford, a car they couldn’t pay for and on and on. The time came when they could borrow no more and were forced to cut back.

The United States might not be to that point yet, but we are VERY close.

You’ll get a chance in November to let those congressmen and senators sitting in their fancy offices in Washington know how you feel.

What would happen if EVERY incumbent lost? Do you think that would send a message that we are ALL sick of “politics as usual.”

I know it would.

Cody Sossamon (cody@gaffneyledger.com) is publisher of The Gaffney Ledger.