In Search Of Responsible Spending
Whatever Happened To Responsible Spending?
It seems no one knows how to budget responsibly anymore. As a matter of fact, one could say the phrase responsible spending is more of an oxymoron these days than anything else. Of course you could also say those who are supposed to know how to spend responsibly are nothing more than morons!
Yes, we’re in the midst of hard economic times. But reality is, this was brought on by greedy leadership who figured they could spend like there was no tomorrow. Then, even when companies tanked and did poorly, the leaders and CEO’s who failed, were rewarded with outlandish bonuses and salary increases.
The bubble had to break sometime. Since it was a really big bubble, it broke in a really big way!
Spending Money You Don’t Have Is Not The Answer
Our new President seems to think the way out of debt, is to go further into debt. Apparently he, or his advisers, slept through their basic Economics 101 class. Spending money you don’t have, does not improve the economy. But then again, maybe he’s just a product of the poor leadership that went before. After all, we did not arrive where we are today, overnight. No, we find ourselves in this situation after years and years of irresponsible spending.
Such irresponsible spending is present at all levels of society.
It doesn’t matter if it’s the federal government driving us further into debt, or a state government going further into debt. Reality is, such spending is evident at all levels of society. It’s like giving the homeless alcoholic on the street $10 for a meal. In his world, the meal consists of a bottle of booze! Could it be our politicians are nothing more than money-alcoholics? They’ve lived on the gravy-train for so long, they’ve become homeless while living in their gated communities and mansions. Those in places of leadership in the political realm have no idea what it means to pinch pennies. They’ve never had to do it. Therefore they cannot relate to what’s going on in the world today.
Instead of cutting their own bloated budgets, they raise taxes saying “it’s time for everyone to tighten their belt.” This is nothing more than code-language for – “We won’t stop spending, but we’ll keep sticking it to you in the process.”
Time and time again we hear politicians saying it’s time to cut the budget. But, when push comes to shove, they hand out huge pay increases to their staff, while the rest of the nation goes through cutbacks.
New York State Governor David Paterson declares a hiring freeze and budget freeze. But a few weeks later, he gives huge raises to those in his administration. President Obama makes a grand gesture saying he’s tightening things in his administration by freezing salaries. But, when the salaries are already $100,000 or more a year, this is nothing more than dangling a carrot in front of a voters nose.
It’s a way to make him think he’s doing something good.
In Rochester, New York much to-do was made about the Rochester City Council changing the charter so the Mayor and council members can turn down raises. Councilman Adam McFadden was against it saying it only makes it appear they care and that they’re doing something. At first I was somewhat confused by his statement. But now, as I’ve thought about it, his statement makes perfect sense. The charter change makes Mayor Bob Duffy look good because he can now say he turned down his $2,800 dollar raise for this year. But, in the meantime, Mayor Duffy didn’t blink an eye when he handed out millions of dollars in bonuses to his staff. By the way, the money he handed out in bonuses and incentives, was all taxpayer money.
Some might say I’m making a mountain out of a mole hill here.
But wait, let’s think about this for a moment. The same Mayor who handed out millions of dollars in bonuses, when the rest of the business world is cutting them, is the same Mayor who’s always crying to the state government and federal government that Rochester doesn’t get it’s fair share and needs more money. As a matter of fact, Mayor Bob Duffy is heading to Albany again today, Wednesday, February 25, where he plans to cry for more money from the first installment of the stimulus dollars released by the federal government. These are dollars Governor Paterson has already earmarked for Medicaid. But, Mayor Duffy wants it for his special projects. What do those projects include? Three failed concepts that are nothing more than a money hole already! He’s looking for dollars for Midtown Plaza, Renaissance Square and the Broad Street tunnel.
Let’s not forget that Rochester is the same city that has no clue how to spend government money. Millions and millions of dollars have been poured into Rochester, New York for such failed projects as the Fast Ferry, PaeTec Park, and yes, Midtown Plaza, just to name a few.
Mayor Duffy, it’s time to stop crying for money, and start trimming your own budget. It’s also time to realize the gravy train for special projects has passed by because the City of Rochester has not shown itself responsible when it comes to spending.
Just as an aside, and a quick passing thought here. President Obama keeps saying the stimulus plan is supposed to create more jobs and stimulate the economy back in the right direction. If this is the case, how in the world can Governor Paterson say spending the first installment of that plan on Medicaid stimulates the economy? Instead, such spending only plugs a hole of years of over-spending and irresponsible budgeting.
It’s time to tell the politicians to stop spending our money like it’s going out of style. I don’t know about you, but these days most of what I find in my pocket is lint.
Just my two cents,
Dr. Rus
