There is a great irony in the statement being made by some that cutbacks in government budgets are being made "on the backs" of government workers, as if they were the only ones being affected. They accurately point out that government workers will likely get pay cuts through unpaid holidays or other devices, and some may lose their jobs. That is true, and we all wish it weren't so. But the implication that government workers are the only ones being affected by this recession is patently untrue, and to pit those who work for government against those who work for the private sector is not helpful.<br />
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One of the shortfalls in government income is because sales tax revenue is down. Why is sales tax revenue down? We-the-people are spending less because we are receiving less, which means less sales tax revenue. Which means government must cut back the same way private business has already cut back. <br />
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But the real irony comes in the "on your back" statement that says for government to lay off any workers is unfair and hurts the economy. We glibly talk about nine-percent unemployment, but fail to point out that it means 7,105 people in Hall County once had a job but do not have a job right now. It seems to me we are all in this mess together, and charging we-the-taxpayers with cutting government spending "on the backs" of government employees is neither helpful nor accurate.<br />
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This is Gordon Sawyer from a window on historic Green Street.<br />
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