Open Letter to Politicians Concerning Budget Cuts

Dear Mr. Politician-that-I-most-likely-did-not-vote-for-but-still-says-he-is-speaking-for-me,

I understand that there is a budget crisis in almost every state of the union right now. As with many other informed Americans, I understand that something must be done about this and am more than willing to help. I think we should look over what is actually happening in the name of "cutting budgets" and "lowering the deficit" before you start thinking that I am actually going to vote for you in the next election. (I am sorry, I only vote for those that I think are actually trying to make a difference and if you are reading this then odds are you don't make the cut.)

First, you are proposing budget cuts in some of the most key areas of society. Education cuts, Emergency Department (Fire Department, Police, EMT, etc.) cuts, State Worker cuts, etc. I can understand making cuts, but why are you politicians always so quick to cut the money where it is needed most?

Last time I checked educating our children for tomorrow was essential to a successful and long lasting government. By cutting the budget by millions of dollars (per state) you are taking away the education that our children should be getting. And when I say education, I mean a well rounded education. Our children should be exposed to not only the proper teaching of reading, mathematics, science, and history, but the arts, health sciences (not just teaching abstinence either), and extra curricular activities. A well rounded education is essential to the growth of our children. By cutting the budget in education, you not only increase class sizes (because budget cuts usually mean teachers losing their jobs) but you also have to make cuts by taking away some of the classes that many feel are essential. How does this equate to our children having a well rounded education?

You are also proposing budget cuts to Emergency Systems. I don't know if you have noticed the statistics, but when the economy goes down the toilet, crime tends to rise. By cutting the budget of the police, prison systems, fire departments, EMT stations, etc. you are not protecting the citizens that vote for you very well. No matter how many cuts you make to these areas, that does not change the fact that they are a NECESSITY! Just because you cut their budget does not mean that crime, fires, and accidents will go down. If that were the case then why are we giving them any money anyway? Oh yeah that is right, I would like to have them there on the off chance they are needed so I don't, you know, DIE, or something like that.

Okay I can kind of see cutting the budget of state workers, but that means YOU as well. Yes, you heard me right. All that money that you get paid by me, the taxpayer, you're going to have to cut the budget for that too if you expect to cut the budget for all state workers. I know, I know, I just spoke political blasphemy. How dare I expect YOU to take a pay cut like you are expecting everyone else to do? The nerve of me and just about every other person I know. You work hard and should be compensated appropriately, right? Hold on a sec, I think I might have some spare change in the couch cushions.

I am sure I speak for the majority of people that think like I do when I say that I wouldn't mind paying a little more in taxes. Provided that money is going to what it should. For instance, if you increase the school tax, all of that money better go to the education system. As long as it is used within the education system (like for books, new facilities, class room necessities, etc.) I don't mind giving a little extra money. I don't want to see my tax dollars go to paving the road that the county commissioner lives on when the county can't even seem to take care of the huge ass pothole that has been on my road since I moved here 6 years ago. You know who I am talking about.

You know what? You claim to speak for the average American, then hell, this might be a concept a little over your head, but why not try reading a web forum like a newspapers or similar to Athens Talks! and see what the people really have to say about the job you are doing. Be anonymous. Trust me, you may get a shock to the system hearing just how many people are not happy with your job.

I think I have said enough for now. But I am sure that you will do something to piss me off again and I will have to write you another letter, so you might as well just keep your mailbox open.

Sincerely,
Your-TRUE-average-American-that-you-do-not-necessarily-speak-for.