City Council can continue to deflect blame, but difficult budget issues remain

I can understand the Roanoke City Council’s desire to blame Bob McDonnell and the General Assembly for our recent budget crisis and even agree with members that on some level the decisions made in Richmond will affect our community, but the undeniable fact remains that the council’s own pet projects, studies and decisions have driven us to this point. The issue facing council – and politicians nationwide – is how do we reduce or eliminate services now that our constituents have grown accustomed to and in some cases entitled to these programs. The traditional democratic approach has been to increase taxes or increase debt. Unfortunately, we are facing our debt ceiling and can no longer borrow away our problems. Additionally, the vast majority of Americans now understand that increasing taxes during a recession is a recovery killer. History has in fact revealed that lowering taxes in times of crisis actually increase revenues to the treasury. Empowering individuals to increase investment in their businesses and increasing the amount citizens have to spend grows the economy and creates jobs. For a more thorough examination of this point I would recommend: http://www.heritage.org/research/taxes/wm327.cfm

Americans are truly fed up with what they rightfully consider inefficient management of their tax dollars. Bob McDonnell was overwhelmingly elected on his promise to reign in the budget while not raising taxes and while it may score points to blame others I think Council would be better served by listening to their constituents and following suit. Outlandish statements suggesting that there is a “war on public education” demonstrates either a complete lack of understanding of the will of the people or worse arrogant ignorance of that will. (Particularly in light of the fact that Tim Kaine cut education by $1.3 billion and we didn't hear a word from then councilwoman Mason.) The citizens of this Commonwealth rightfully chose budget cuts and reduced services when they elected Bob McDonnell and the Governor is merely following through – I truly hope our City Council and Civic Leaders can move beyond playing the political blame game and make the difficult decisions our citizens deserve.