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On July 4th, proud Americans celebrate their independence. We have picnics and cookouts and fireworks. As we celebrate, however, our independence and freedoms are slowly being stolen. Our government is taking away our liberty through higher taxes as they force us, the taxpayers, to pay for their pet projects and bad decisions.

Budget battles are going on in Washington DC as well as in every state capitol across this country. Lawmakers at every level are making decisions . . . important decisions . . . “Should we tax more or spend less?” Taxpayers are beginning to organize and speak out as a group. The message in every case is the same . . . “Government needs to stop the tax increases, stop overspending, and begin to live within its means”. In order to be heard, we must speak up and get involved. Whether you attend a protest -or- contact your legislator -or- run for office -or- write a letter to the editor -or- “all of the above”, it is important that you voice your opinion while you still have a chance.

Mercer County Budget Woes

I’ve drafted and sent the following letter to the Editor of The Herald, and I’d like to share it with all of you. The letter is in response to an on-going issue involving Mercer County Commissioners and the unions representing county workers (read the full story HERE and HERE and HERE). There was also a letter to the editor of the Herald from the three Commissioners, but it was not available for on-line viewing at the time of this posting. In that letter, Commissioner Lechner stated:

“Lastly, you questioned whether the union vote would be different if commissioners and row officers had first made some personal sacrifices. We made it abundantly clear to your reporter when he visited our office immediately after the meeting with labor that the commissioners had informed labor that we were going to participate in the pay reduction and that several row officers had already indicated that they would as well.”

Here is my response to the issue and to the letter from the Commissioners:

LETTER TO THE EDITOR:

In Harrisburg this week, our legislators are battling over the state budget. The key question is whether to increase taxes or cut costs. While it is an understandably difficult decision, it is one that we all make in our own households everyday. The main difference is that when we balance our personal budgets, we don’t have the luxury of simply increasing our income with the swipe of a pen. Instead, we are forced to live within our means in order to make ends meet. This usually means giving up luxuries, but it often requires giving up necessities.

As the Commonwealth struggles with its financial difficulties, necessary budget cuts will ultimately affect us locally. Mercer County Commissioners are already considering how our own county budget will be affected by cuts at the state level. Our County Commissioners are, of course, already considering tax increases; but they are also looking at ways to cut costs. They recently met with union representatives regarding possible cut backs in the courthouse during this difficult time. Union representatives rejected the county’s proposal, and they were absolutely right to do so. Our County Commissioners asked union workers to take a cut, but the Commissioners didn’t bother to demonstrate a level of fiscal responsibility and commitment before entering discussions.

Rather than blaming The Herald and its reporters in a recent letter to the Editor, the Commissioners should have walked into negotiations with the union well prepared. Perhaps a signed pledge from elected officials and row officers volunteering to give back a percentage of their paychecks if the union agreed to similar cuts . . . or, better yet, a pledge stating that they would donate a portion of their salaries back to the County’s general fund regardless of the outcome of negotiations with the union.

Our County leaders need to realize that as elected officials they are expected to be both leaders and public servants . . . in this case, they have not demonstrated either. Rather than asking others to sacrifice, they should have lead by example by being the first to give back to the taxpayers.

Roberta Biros
Delaware Township

In Closing

This is just another example of elected officials taking us, the taxpayers, for granted. It is time that we pressure lawmakers to be accountable and responsible. We need to let them know exactly how we feel our taxes should be spent (or not), and we must be persistent. It is our right . . . it is our priviledge . . . and it is our duty.

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