To the editor:
I have recently heard or read two comments that trouble me. The first comes from our local officials who have been overheard making the comment that there have been few comments of opposition to our tax increase, therefore it must be alright, or the right thing to do. The second comment is that we have taken everything we can out of this budget and we feel this is a very good budget.
If these comments are true, the people making them either do not have a clue, or do not care about the people they been elected to serve.
Let’s look at your personal paycheck. Your employer has just increased your amount that you pay to your health care plan, decreased their contribution to your retirement fund, and told you that you will not be receiving a pay raise this year. The bottom line, you will be bringing home less in your paycheck.
Do you go back to your employer and tell them they will have to increase your paycheck to meet your spending habits, or do you now have to make the hard decisions and spend less in order to match your income? I don’t believe if you are bringing home $200 a week and spending $300 a week, that your job will bail you out. Therefore, you need to live within your means.
Anyone who knows how to prepare a budget always knows there are things to cut if they really want to make the tough decisions. I believe our commissioners have not made those hard decisions, but are telling their employers (us) they need to increase their income (through taxes) and pay for their spending habits.
Ask your commissioners what are unfunded liabilities, how much do we currently owe, who pays for those, and where will the money come from?
It is time we get people in office who are willing to make those tough decisions and the election is the time to stand up and make those decisions.
Bill Johnston
Berlin
I have recently heard or read two comments that trouble me. The first comes from our local officials who have been overheard making the comment that there have been few comments of opposition to our tax increase, therefore it must be alright, or the right thing to do. The second comment is that we have taken everything we can out of this budget and we feel this is a very good budget.
If these comments are true, the people making them either do not have a clue, or do not care about the people they been elected to serve.
Let’s look at your personal paycheck. Your employer has just increased your amount that you pay to your health care plan, decreased their contribution to your retirement fund, and told you that you will not be receiving a pay raise this year. The bottom line, you will be bringing home less in your paycheck.
Do you go back to your employer and tell them they will have to increase your paycheck to meet your spending habits, or do you now have to make the hard decisions and spend less in order to match your income? I don’t believe if you are bringing home $200 a week and spending $300 a week, that your job will bail you out. Therefore, you need to live within your means.
Anyone who knows how to prepare a budget always knows there are things to cut if they really want to make the tough decisions. I believe our commissioners have not made those hard decisions, but are telling their employers (us) they need to increase their income (through taxes) and pay for their spending habits.
Ask your commissioners what are unfunded liabilities, how much do we currently owe, who pays for those, and where will the money come from?
It is time we get people in office who are willing to make those tough decisions and the election is the time to stand up and make those decisions.
Bill Johnston
Berlin
