Time to Reevaluate What's Important

http://www.sacbee.com/walters/story/1329798.html

Today, Dan Walters of the Sac Bee wrote about the new developments in California's fiscal crisis. After the election, the Governor is planning to call a special session to address the ever increasing deficit. What will the Governor likely propose? Most likely cuts rather then increased taxes to raise revenue.

Admittedly, there is fat that must be trimmed from some of our state programs. Money is not being used efficiently, or at all, in some. However, the answer is not knee-jerk, across the board, cuts. What would really benefit our great state is asking the legislature to take a long hard look at all of our state programs to get a realistic assessment of what really needs to be fixed and what we can afford to cut.

What we must also come to terms with as a state is the prospect of higher taxes. We all enjoy having roads to drive on and schools to send our children to, but those things cost money and no one wants to pay the price. It is time for all residents of California to sit down and really think about what is important. If we want quality education, it has to be funded. If we want reasonably priced public transportation, it has to be funded. If we want a sense of security from knowing law enforcement is out on patrol, that has to be funded too.

The question is are the citizens of California ever going to be ready to chip in a little more?