Contributed by Eddie Ezelle
As we come into the realization that we must do something different concerning the State budget, all of us will be required to help. We cannot keep doing the same thing over and over and expect different results. Sound familiar? Then so will “if you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.”
Both are sage advice, but it does not ease the pain we are and will continue to feel if we do not do something now.
First on the chopping block is any public service. There is a reason for this. You do not notice the reduction in paper pushers in an office, but you will notice a reduction in your police, fire and human services. Next is any public works that are instantly noticeable such as road repair or new construction.
There seems to be a block in the long-term ideas of building infrastructure. Had we invested money in building power supplies, roads, bridges, ports and expanding our rail and ferry systems, we would be able to expand in the job creation market. We are called the cross-roads of the world for a reason. We can touch the Far East and Europe easily from our northern locations. The State has been very foolish in the spending of our money and we allow it.
All programs must be evaluated for effectiveness, not just because “but we have always done it this way!” We need to cause more thinking out of the box rather than complacency. Sometimes being forced to look at things differently is a good thing. The idea that the State will take care of it should be rejected by every tax-paying Alaskan. I don’t pay taxes you say – think again. We all pay for those “freebies” some think is their entitlement.
Everyone needs some help from time to time. That’s where we as nonprofits step in to help and we rely on others generosity to help us. It is not designed to be a life style of handouts, but rather a hand up. Many people seem to have forgotten this concept.
We all need to help one another, but not to the point of straining our resources. When you talk with your representatives let’s have reasonable conversations and express our views without hatred. We are all in this together and we can’t do it alone.
Please support where you can, but do not expect the State to come bail you out every time.
Thanks for reading,
- Eddie, Mat-Su Food Bank
