Eliminate excess in state government services

The purpose of government is to provide services that individuals can't afford to provide for themselves, i.e., national defense, fire and police protection and education, to name a few. Government should provide these services in the most cost-effective manner possible. We have all heard about government waste and corruption at all levels. New York state government is the "poster child" for waste and corruption.

If the service becomes obsolete, it should be cut. If the service is downsizing like our prison system, prisons should be closed. The same is true for every other state service. If the need is there, fund it; if not, cut if from the budget.

The budget crisis that we are now facing will not allow us to maintain the status quo. Leadership, for too long nonexistent in Albany, is needed now. For too long the excesses of government spending has rewarded the powerful unions at the expense of the taxpayer. This approach has driven hard-working people to leave the state and live elsewhere with lower services and lower taxes.

The major problem is the electorate themselves. We all want less government spending and a reduction in taxes, but not my program, not my service, not in my backyard. As startling as it might seem, you can't have it both ways. Either pay for the services by raising taxes or downsize government by eliminating programs, reducing state mandates and reducing the state payroll.

Excesses of the past cannot continue into the future. The people know this, Gov. David Paterson knows this. It is about time the Legislature accepts it. This is our reality, like it or not.

Wayne D. Mihalyi

Lowville