Picture this: you’re 9 years old and your mother has given you your allowance. She tells you to “spend it wisely, it’s all you have until next month.” But, being a child, you are more than likely to spend it on candy and other unnecessary items.

Now, picture this: the government gets our tax dollars, yet the nation is still drowning in debt that my generation and future generations are going to have to pay for. Where is all of the money going?

The answer: wasteful government spending.

For example, in 2009, $495,000 was spent to air commercials touting the Obama administration — advertisements about creating jobs. Those commercials were aired only by shows hosted by Obama supporters.

That money could have been devoted to a better cause, such as education or creating jobs.

Schools everywhere struggle to provide the necessary curriculum because they do not have enough money in the budget to keep schools up to standards, including books and supplies. But, still, budgets get tighter and tighter.

Currently, the unemployment rate is 7.3 percent. That much of the country is unemployed, bringing in little or no income. The world we live in requires money. The government is predicted to spend $3.8 trillion in fiscal 2014. Only 64 percent of that is mandatory spending.

That is why the nation is nose deep in debt.

I want Congress to modify unnecessary spending, rethink and prioritize money issues. Think, then spend.

Spending your allowance is only going to affect you, whereas government spending affects an entire country.

Destiny Llewellyn