Does Government Exist for the Politicians or for Citizens? - Granite Grok

Does Government Exist for the Politicians or for Citizens?

The Belknap County Convention demonstrated the clash of two different interests, both committed to fulfilling our County’s obligations.  One group considered the burden on property owners, renters, and others who pay the County’s bills.  The other group represents government employees, unions, and other special interests which benefit from the money taken from taxpayers.

This year, politicians at every level of government proposed tax increases.  Yet, taxpayers suffer from high unemployment, under-employment, reduced take home pay, tax increases, and price increases in nearly everything that people actually need, e.g., food, gasoline, health insurance.  The US median income has declined $4000 in just four years.  President Obama’s policies continue to kill middle class jobs, cut working hours, and drive previously independent people onto unemployment and welfare, and, frequently, into despair (which is a personal and national tragedy).

Even while middle income Americans’ incomes have declined and people have been forced to tighten their belts, governments continued to tax more, spend more, regulate more driving up our cost of living, add new functions and employees, and, with rare exceptions, increase wages and benefits.  Government programs, employees and special interests have mostly been spared the severe cuts endured by most private sector employees.

For most taxpayers the direct and hidden costs of government is one of their top expenses, often greater than car payments, fuel, food, or even mortgages.  (Go ahead, add it up! Remember the hidden taxes and regulatory costs which add about 15% to almost everything you buy.) Even while families struggle to pay their bills, the cost of government grows and grows and grows while the amount of money left after taxes shrinks and shrinks and shrinks.

Do you work, try to save, and struggle for yourself and your family or just so politicians can spend your money; wasting it, giving it to their friends, or trading it in return for votes?

The Republican majority in the Belknap County Convention are, hopefully, part of a tidal wave of representatives, hopefully from both parties, who fight for the people not the special interests.  Our representatives endured, and those that follow will probably have to endure more undeserved invective hurled by special interest groups who strike back at the audacity of anyone threatening their accustomed taxpayer funded largess.

People who pay the taxes shouldn’t have to struggle more than the people who receive money taken from taxpayers.  Representatives who fight for the taxpayers deserve our gratitude.  Thank you!

If Americans want freedom, prosperity, and opportunity for themselves, their children and grandchildren, then they are going to have to elect more representatives committed to fulfilling government obligations more responsibly, efficiently, and affordably.

 

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