Lake Ridge parents resolve to cope with school closing

GARY | Grissom Elementary School parent Robyn Probus has attended all three community forums regarding the Lake Ridge Schools' finances and the last three School Board meetings.

We need to get people less dependent on government

With all the financial problems in this country, it is important we have a few tools to help our politicians do the right thing for the country.

Without federal stimulus, U.S. would be in depression

Bob Stiener from Crown Point needs to turn off Fox News. When Bill Clinton left office, there was a surplus.

Obama, Congress need to stop spendthrift ways

President Barack Obama and Congress have totally failed the American people. They are destroying America from within, by spending trillions of dollars over budget.

Coats: Economic growth being stymied by Congress inaction on deficit

PORTAGE | More than three years after the end of the recession, U.S. Sen. Dan Coats said Friday that "it's terrible" that the nation's economic growth remains so anemic.

GUEST COMMENTARY: Is this really the best we can do?

As you know if you pay attention to national affairs, the United States faces a perfect fiscal storm at the end of this year. A confluence of deadlines and policy triggers unlike anything I can remember in a half-century of public life will produce massive budget cuts and serious tax increas…

State payments help narrow Portage's anticipated budget deficit

PORTAGE | The City Council Budget Committee received some good news and some bad news Tuesday night about the city's spending plan for 2012.

Republican newcomers compete for chance at Visclosky

INDIANAPOLIS | The two Republicans competing to face U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Merrillville, haven't previously sought elective office, but they aren't short on ideas for how to fix America.

Cuts trim $1.3M from E.C. budget deficit

EAST CHICAGO | Cost-saving measures outlined this week to reduce this year's projected $3.7 million budget shortfall will leave city departments with less money — and fewer workers.

Daniels warns national audience of debt dangers

INDIANAPOLIS | Gov. Mitch Daniels warned more than 20,000 Americans on Tuesday the country faces a "survival-level threat" if it does not act to reduce the national debt.

EDITORIAL: After supercommittee, voters must be superheroes

The members of the so-called "supercommittee" need to turn in their superhero capes. They didn't earn them. They have failed to save the day.

Threat to Medicare, Medicaid sparks protest

GARY | The thought of cuts in Medicare and Medicaid funding scares home care provider Vicky Hernandez, but perhaps it scares even more the patients she cares for.

State auditors concerned about Lake Station finances

INDIANAPOLIS | State auditors reported Friday they have "substantial doubt" about Lake Station's "ability to continue as a going concern" due to the city's $1.8 million general fund deficit and the effect of property tax caps limiting future revenue.

Illinois 50 out of 50 in 2010 for state deficit

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. | Illinois ended fiscal 2010 as the most broke state in the nation.

VIDEO: Visclosky talks with The Times (1 of 3)

U.S. Rep. Peter Visclosky stopped by The Times to talk with editors about the national debt and his positions addressing the issue (1 of 3).

VIDEO: Visclosky talks with The Times (2 of 3)

U.S. Rep. Peter Visclosky stopped by The Times to meet with editors and discuss his ideas on eliminating the national debt. (2 of 3)

VIDEO: Visclosky talks with The Times (3 of 3)

U.S. Rep. Peter Visclosky stopped by The Times to meet with editors and discuss his voting record on the debt ceiling and his position on a constitutional amendment calling for a balanced budget. (3 of 3).

We need both tax increases, spending cuts

If we are to truly and fairly reduce the nation's deficit, we need to use both tax increases and spending cuts.

We can't pass the deficit on to the next generation

The federal deficit can be related to your family budget when you can't balance your income with expenses. If you spend too much, say, by maxing out your credit cards, you might not earn enough money to pay the interest on what you owe. You might reach a point where you can't pay your monthl…

GUEST COMMENTARY: No consensus among public on federal deficit

The federal budget deficit is enormous, and the national debt is growing. So the pollsters are asking the public what should be done. The latest poll I've seen was done for NBC and the Wall Street Journal at the end of February. I found it on the Web by searching "NBC deficit poll."