With the Massachusetts election, recent passage of our city initiative 300, and a Washington Post/ABC poll conducted this January, Americans around the country and in Colorado Springs are say they want less government and fewer government services. The Post/ABC poll showed 58% of Americans in favor of less government and services and 38% wanting more. Some people question the usefulness of government at all, yet we rely on government to get water and utilities to our homes, provide and maintain roadways and transportation systems, education and schools, court system, certainly provide public safety and public health, and fairly collect taxes to provide these services. The challenge is not in if we have government, but how much government is too much!
Was last year’s FASTER bill which raised auto taxes and added fees necessary? Were the new taxes on hospitals and insurance requirements necessary? The continuous unfunded government mandates from our state and federal government that we must fund locally, are they necessary? Did these efforts create jobs in Colorado Springs much less House District 17? Maybe a better way to ask it, did you get a job or did you know someone who did? How many jobs were lost for one job gained? Did you stay in business or lose your business? The fact is that these efforts likely added to your tax burden without adding anything to services, and left your take home pay strapped as usual.
So, what do you think are necessary government services? Do you agree with the reduced bus services and loss of FREX? Did your street get some needed repairs? Did something happen this year that helped you get a job? Share your story and let us know what you think: more government and services or less!
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