So how about Congress and the President? The US spends 10X more than anyone else in the world for weapons and soldiers, billions on aid to other countries, billions for agencies that spend their time writing more rules and more regulations designed to "fix" everything that could possibly go wrong.

Isn't it about time that someone in government realized it is time to re-think, to spend less? To limit the costly rules and regulations that  drain needed dollars from home budgets and small businesses? To recognize that household budgets are straining, people are cutting household spending so they can stay warm and pay for gasoline? Or is government at all levels just drunk on our money?

Almost Got it Right

The Commonwealth almost got it right a couple of months ago when the Department of Revenue ran a tax amnesty moment so that people could pay up their back taxes. They reduced the fees and penalties for delinquency. The only problem was that the time allowed to raise the money and make the payment was too short to let many people take advantage of the program. And payment in full was required. No budget plans.

Penalty fees and interest charges are a common punishment for failing to pay on time. But paying such fees produces no benefit to the customer. They just make it harder to catch up. The Commonwealth and its communities are considering higher fees and penalties to help make up for other revenue shortfalls. Bad idea. Why not try the opposite approach and reduce or waive fees and charges to make it easier for taxpayers to meet their obligations? Punishing people for falling behind only exacerbates the problem. Why not try a more intelligent approach in these difficult times?

IN OUR OPINION...

The System Is Broken - 1

"We are sorry for the delay but all of our representatives are helping other customers. Please stay on the line and someone will be with you shortly." How many times have you heard that and waited 20 or more minutes to get  a simple question answered? Are call volumes "unusually high" or do these companies simply not have enough folks answering the phones? Here's an idea -- hire a few more call center representatives. Answer more calls in less time. Give a few folks badly needed jobs.

The System Is Broken - 2

In Massachusetts we have annual automobile inspections. If your car is Rejected, its gets a  RED sticker. That means do not drive it until the problem is repaired. Here's the question then. If the problem is, say a cracked windshield and the inspection station doesn't replace windshields it is against the law to drive the car to a place that does replace windshields. The right way would be to have the vehicle towed. Hey buddy, can you spare a hundred bucks?

Call or write:
Sen. Stephen Brewer 617-722-1540 Stephen.brewer@state.ma.us
Rep. Anne Gobi 617-722-2210 Rep.annegobi@hou.state.ma.us
Rep. Chris Donelan 617-722-2230 rep.christopherdonelan@hou.state.ma.us

                        DAY - D. Tatlock

To find out who your legislators are, visit the Massachusetts legislature's website at www.state.ma.us/legis . Or just look at the bottom left hand corner of the home page.

Send all snail mail to: The Honorable (name of your state representative/state senator) State House, Boston, MA 02133. Your representatives all have e-mail addresses as well.

Sometimes it is a good thing to live at the top of a hill.