"-ough" vs "-ought" are not a problem since they are different, and this there can be a consistent no-exceptions rule distinguish a them. Same as "sch" and "ts

"-ough" vs "-ought" are not a problem since they are different, and this there can be a consistent no-exceptions rule distinguish a them. Same as "sch" and "tsch" are pronounced differently in German but are still considered phonetic. Although/through/ebough is a problem tho. I wish the general public cared enuff to push a spelling reform thru.