Judith Tabert, chair of the Middlesex County Human Services Advisory Council (HSAC), rails against government spending cuts in the letter to the editor titled “Community at Risk If Government Makes Proposed Cuts” (Suburban, May 5). While acknowledging that “many” are “struggling with stagnant wages, oppressive unemployment, the unrelenting burden of housing costs and property taxes, and the dragging pace of the economic recovery,” she nonetheless wants the federal government to continue to support “the most vulnerable members of our communities.” Ms. Tabert feels that any discussion of the budget should include “the entire federal budget, not just the discretionary non-security portion.” She does not mention what support she has that proves that the entire budget is not discussed, or what security-related spending she’d like to see reduced. But I guess that doesn’t matter.
Ironically, it is organizations like the HSAC that have contributed to our current economic problems. A group of people get together and lobby the government for funding for their particular crusade. They put pressure on politicians and make promises of support. The politician gets some quid pro quo, makes deals with his fellow politicians, and everyone gets a piece of the pork.
There are many reasons the country finds itself in the situation it’s in, but I think one big reason has to do with uncontrolled government growth and spending. As forMs. Tabert and her supporters, I believe that they are all in favor of cuts, as long as it’s not their ox that’s being gored. But that’s part of the problem, not the solution.
Ben Feigenbaum East Brunswick