Published: August 22, 2008 10:51 pm            

TUCKER: State leaders need to make their own cuts

If you’ve been following the state budget debacle, there’s one thing you’ve probably noticed in all the discussions, news stories and interviews.

Actually, it’s one thing you never heard: What our political leaders are doing, personally, to alleviate the enormous debt.

Have you heard that any salaries have been cut, staff positions eliminated, perks like free postage, done away with?

It’s fine, the politicians say, to eliminate funding for schools, hospitals, nursing facilities, libraries and other places that these leaders are smart enough to know people will fight against.

But how about leading by example?

Should taxpayers be the only ones who have to suffer this budget fiasco? And if these cuts from pork barrel to hospitals can be made now, why not when the budget was considered and increased just last year?

If Spitzer were still in office, would you hear about the mess?

And when our new governor came in, seems he increased spending — only to say now the state is so far in debt it can never get out.

Oh sure, cuts will be made, the appropriate agencies will rally against belt tightening, then the election will be over and it will be the same old, same old.

Where is the part about elected leaders’ first priority to serve the people they represent? Boy has that idea ever gone down the tubes.

For my part, all I can do is vote for anyone running against an incumbent — fresh faces, new thinking, and possibly even a person who cares.

The News ran an article last week about how the insurance plan the state instituted is ruining small businesses. Does anyone care? Fat chance.

And guess what? We can complain all we want and the beat goes on.

How sad.

•••

Organizations will be gearing up for fall in a week or so. If you’ve ever given any thought to volunteering but just haven’t gotten around to it, now’s the time to take action.

There are so many places looking for help: Meals on Wheels, DeGraff Memorial Hospital, Food Pantry, Boys & Girls Club, Boy and Girl Scout troops, grandparent programs for elementary schools, YWCA of the Tonawandas, Carrousel Museum, Riviera Theatre ... the list is mind-boggling.

Time to get up and do something for others.

•••

The Olympics have really been an enjoyable treat as well as a chance to get away from the tragic stories that seem to make up today’s headlines. Who wasn’t excited about Michael Phelps and his astonishing achievement? The story of his life is a beacon to those kids who often are not accepted or bullied. Frankly, it matters not to me how many medals any country has garnered. It’s just so wonderful to see how these outstanding athletes compete and the amazing feats they accomplish.

•••

Just for fun: A friend sent the following ways to deal with the burdens of life. Enjoy!

n Accept that some days you’re the pigeon and some days you’re the statue.

n Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it.

n Drive carefully. It’s not only cars that can be recalled by their maker.

n If you can’t be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.

n If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.

n It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply be kind to others.

n Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you won't have a leg to stand on.

n Since it’s the early worm that gets eaten by the bird, sleep late.

Contact community editor Barbara Tucker at 693-1000, ext. 110, or tuckerb@gnnewspaper.com.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.