Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Cities, States and Federal Budgets

Really this is only about Salt Lake City but I think it applies to all levels of government. When Mom and I were kids/teenagers there was a job nicknamed "Meter Maid". These mostly ladies road around the city on a three wheeled motorcycle called a Cushman checking out parking meters and no parking zones and giving out citations for expired meters etc. There was no such thing as handicap parking, expectant mother parking, sheriff or police parking spaces. Any way while on my way to work the other day I saw a Jeep Wrangler 4 door with the marking of "Traffic and Parking Enforcement" on it. Probably not an unusual siting, but just think of the cost of a Jeep Wrangler vs say a John Deere Gator. Gator's come with covers and heaters and can be used in any weather cause they have a high/low range transfer case and all wheel drive. Sure it would be hot in the summer but lots of people work out in the heat. Just a thought on how government spends like we have more money than we know what to do with.
A couple of weeks ago the city/town of Syracuse Utah had to cut their budget due to a shortfall of taxes. The mayor said he did not know where they would come up with the budget cuts, thus the problem. No one in government leadership can figure out where to cut funds because they are so accustomed to just saying "sure we can pay for that". It is the wrong attitude.
The real attitude should be "no we can't pay for that" and won't tax our constituents to pay for something that only benefits the few, in any case it should benefit the many like public safety and roads. Thats all.

No comments: