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On deficit spending
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Posted on Sep 07 2005
Deficit spending clearly shows that the local government spends more than it collects annually on taxes. Fortunately, the accrual accounting system allows for expenditure in advance of actual collection, a boon for people at the helm.
Unfortunately, deficit spending is nothing more than saddling a pile of debts against the future of our children. If our government were a private business, it would have been shut down long time ago. Like going to a grocery store, you pay for items within your budget, no more, no less! You can’t bluff it in any form or fashion.
I am not pointing fingers at anyone, for deficit spending may be a necessary evil to keep government operations rolling. But I am blaming the lack of resolve among politicians to effect efficiency in the operations of every branch and agency of our local government.
Wasteful spending abounds, from luxury cars (when it should be stripped down models) to cellular phones that cost taxpayers a bundle annually. The Republican watch has increased operations cost by as much as $100 million over the last several years. While this was effected in stealth fashion, the beneficiaries are political stalwarts hired to shore-up support for the incumbent administration.
Imagine spending $3 million plus for travel in a single year. This could have covered classroom repair, textbooks and supplies or reduce the $18 million the Republican administration has seen fit to pass on to taxpayers.
I think taxpayers deserve something better that the persistent saddling of unsolicited obligations—from fuel surcharge to bloated salaries for the politically connected that cruises around town daily. I see these as blatant assaults against taxpayers who struggle daily to meet their obligations, including paying off the $18 million in fuel surcharge this administration refuses to remit.
Somehow this beast (deficit spending) must be domesticated and it takes leadership who are literate with numbers to get the job done. We owe it to our children.
John S. DelRosario Jr.
As Gonno
