NY out of balance with too many working government jobs vs private sector

Editor:

NYS has a mature economy. The boom years are eloquently portrayed in articles by the County Historian. Processors and manufacturers have moved on to states offering various advantages.

If one examines the demographic distribution of earnings it becomes quite clear that an imbalance exists in this state. I will use South Dakota as an example given it is the destination of a Clarendon resident and I have experience there.

South Dakota is fiscally balanced. Seventy percent of the population earn their income through self employment or employment in private enterprise. In stark contrast, NYS is exactly opposite. The majority here earn their living from funds derived of taxes, fees, grants etc. I encourage you to contemplate that for a while. Consider all of the individuals in your circle and how their earnings are originated. Teachers, prison guards, municipal employees, even garbage collection.

All of it is just a redistribution of wealth not new generation. It is fiscally unstainable and yet also self perpetuating. How unusual is it to find one of these earners to vote for anything that would negatively affect their earnings.

Please don’t misinterpret my point. These are integral positions in our society and who does not seek to better themselves? However we must be cognizant of this precipitous decline in balance. It should, at least, be considered every time a new social worker is added for mental health treatment, a grant for a new fire truck or a high school stadium; the examples seem endless. To quote Llewellyn Rockwell “Someone, somewhere, sometime has to pay.” Furthermore, when governing bodies are comprised mostly of these wage earners, the decision making tends to flow with the philosophy of “budget increase” and “spend it or lose it.”

This State has many great attributes. One has only to be removed from it a short time to appreciate the diverse topography, moderate climate and bounty of produce. If we disagree on everything else, perhaps we can at least begin there. I remain optimistic and hope to convey a more mindful approach by decision makers.

Charles Hartway

Medina