Here & There Column 12-25-12

Will Government Listen In 2013 ?

  As we approach 2013 our county, state and federal governments are all facing severe budget problems.

  Easy solutions....there are none but it is becoming more and more evident that folks everywhere are totally fed up with any proposed increases in taxes.

  We can almost take and use the "fiscal cliff" terminology everywhere we look.

  Property owners everywhere are all saying that they are struggling to pay their taxes.

  What formula or even a common sense approach does government look at when making  budget decisions?

  Many people we have talked to say they would never choose to become part of government today and there is little sympathy  anywhere  for county, state and federal legislators. 

  We sit back and listen and all we hear is that government has to cut spending rather then approve tax increases.

  A new poll by Rasmussen finds 73% of likely voters want the government to cut spending in order to improve the economy. The polling firm says that's the highest support ever for cutting spending. 

  On a county level  some we know have sold their homes and have taken losses when doing so and have moved out of the state for what they hope will be a brighter future.

  There is no doubt that state mandates on Sullivan County have made this issue much more complex then it is.

  In Washington the upcoming "fiscal cliff", a combined package of cuts and tax increases is set to take affect January 1 unless both parties of congress agree to a path of fiscal responsibility.... do we really see  both parties doing this?

  If  government legislators do not become more responsible one could never predict what the folks might turn to.

  Folks and business people I talk to all say that government does not adhere to the belief that they must become more fiscally responsible....as one businessman said, "if I ran my business like the government does I'd be bankrupted and out of business."

  All government must work together in a bipartisan way for the greater good of the country.

  With all that in mind we wish you a Very Happy New Year.