As I write this article our 44^th president is participating in his second term inauguration ceremonies. While the Washington muckity mucks party our hard earned tax dollars away I could think of several better ways to spend over One Hundred Million Dollars!

First and foremost, the money could be spent to reduce the enormous debt our Country owes to foreign countries. Although a relatively small amount compared to our total national debt of almost Sixteen point Five Trillion Dollars, it could be a good start.

Second, they could build a better border fence in the areas where most illegal aliens enter our country. This could save multiples of millions in costs to our health care, justice, and legal systems.

Third, they could invest in security measures to reduce the amount of fraudulent transactions within both Medicare and Medicaid systems saving billions annually, not to mention Social Security.

I could go on and on about ways to help our country but unfortunately nobody in Washington DC actually cares enough to really make a difference. The economic recovery really begins with you and me. While our leaders in Washington, Florida, and locally only talk about helping small business WE can help stimulate our local economy by buying local, recommending local businesses to our friends and family, and investing in Martin County. If you are planning a weekend getaway, visit the Martin County Tourist Development Councils website at discovermartin.com and book a room at any one of Martin County’s quaint hotels, motels, or bed and breakfast facilities.

As a member of several of our area chambers it is only appropriate that I mention the chambers goal of doing business locally. There are no expensive programs, no ad campaigns, no fancy slogans, just putting people with people to promote our businesses. What works best for business is people getting to know others within our community. The better we know you and others and you know us the better the system works. I am asking you to make a conscious effort to give someone local some business, if that works out well for you, please tell a friend.

Michael DiTerlizzi

President

Palm City Chamber