Here's where to cut the spending

Foster's Daily Democrat editorializes today on where to cut government spending. Although a better title might be how to cut the spending. Their proposition is that the way to reduce government spending is to reduce state regulations and mandates.

Here's where to cut the spending

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

As noted many times on the editorial pages of Foster's Daily Democrat, New Hampshire does not need or want an income tax.

There are many reasons for this, but that is not the point of the words which follow. Spending is.

"Where would you have us cut?" is a common refrain from legislators and those who disagree with calls for greater frugality in Concord.

"Child care, welfare, Medicaid, prisons, school aid ... where?" they ask.

Fortunately, the answer is quite simply stated, though not easy digested.

Take a look at any of the many cities and towns that bit the bullet and refused to raise local property taxes — and in some cases cut them.

In each case, local committees and boards made tough decisions. "What do we need to do versus what we would like to do?" And more importantly, "What can we afford?"

The problem for some in government is that they believe government needs to do everything — or darn close to it. (more)