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The Sacking of America
By Edward H. LeHoskey, Torrington
National — I remember many years ago when former President Eisenhower warned us about the military/ industrial complex and how it was growing stronger and more controlling of our country. Recent events tend to back up his thoughts. There is now one political party in our country, the Military/ Industrial Party, with its two divisions—Republican and Democrat. It would appear that all members of both houses are in one pocket or another. Soft money and favors flow freely—not only in Washington, but it is obvious that it has spread to state legislatures as well. Time is running short and it is imperative that we vote the incumbents out. What is happening now has become known as the "sacking of America" in many sectors of this country. We must wake up and take our country back by using the only weapon we have—VOTING.
State — The courthouse is still floating around. We understand that the original legislation was written to say that the courthouse must be built in Litchfield. Strange. I would think that legislation of that type would say a new courthouse is to be built in such and such a judicial district and leave location within that district up to the folks who use the courthouse. They would locate said courthouse where it would be most beneficial to the most people. It makes one wonder if the location was in mind long before the legislation was written. I understand that the first location was bought and paid for by the state before being approved by all the agencies that become involved in these matters. Is this another waste of taxpayers' money by the state?
Do we really need a new courthouse, or should we make better use what we have? I've spent time in court in Litchfield. They tell you court will start at 10 a.m. and to be on time. (Who starts the day at 10 a.m.?) So you get there for 10 a.m.—and you observe many people with papers in one hand and coffee in the other and many small meetings being held all over and things get going (maybe) by 11 a.m. Not long after that it is lunchtime, and the day is over by 3:30 p.m. So, I ask you, do we really need a new building, or are we just spreading around more monies to the party faithful? If a new courthouse is going to be build at all, it is obvious it should be built in downtown Torrington, where it will conveniently serve the most people.
The state is spending $80 million for land acquisition in northwest Connecticut; $500,000 for study and design of a prison expansion in Somers; and $50,000 to study downtown Torrington. This is only a drop in the bucket of money being doled out to party faithful by a state that is supposedly worried about a deficit this year and a larger deficit next year. (What happed to the huge surplus that our duly elected officials played with?) In this time of deficits and scarce funds, Governor Rowland (of Patriots fame) has proposed salary increases for Superior Court judges—from the current $116,000 to $125,000; a second increase to $135,000 in July 2003; a third increase to $145,000 in April 2004; and, believe it or not, a fourth increase to $155,000 in April 2005. This is so better and brighter people will be attracted to the job. How silly we have been—all this time we thought judgeships were handed out to party faithful as a reward. Bet we never thought for a minute that the state was attempting to entice the "best and the brightest."
I understand that the CT Dept. of Motor Vehicles recently had an angry customer. I have to wonder why! Several months ago I went there with a small truck that I had bought and registered in Florida. Now that I was spending most of my time in Connecticut, I felt I should register my truck here. It took three trips to complete the transaction. My Florida title was no good, as was the insurance purchased in Florida. On my final trip I was standing there with a $100 bill feeling secure with that amount and thinking I would probably get a good amount of change. Shock of all shocks, the young lady informed me I owed $159.25. Listed among the many things I didn't understand was a $25 fee for a new title. I didn't realize I needed a new one—what could be better than a title from the dealer and state where the vehicle was originally bought? There was also a charge of $10 for "Inspection/ Administration." I left the window, and then the clerk started a discussion with a fellow worker concerning events that occurred the previous Monday. I asked another DMV employee where I had to go for the inspection. I was then informed that they don't inspect any more. No one there really knows if my truck really exists. Another employee advised me that the $10 inspection fee was really an administration fee. All in all, I feel lucky I was not arrested for asking too many questions.
Our duly elected officials will get you one way or another. Cancel that last statement. They will get you in all ways whenever and however they can. We now learn that elected state lawmakers have been swarming to work for the CRRA. This is the state-funded outfit that lost $220 million of state money in the Enron deal. One state senator earned $96,000 last year, a state representative was paid $82,000, and another worked for CRRA as a contract lawyer. The sacking of America at work, and we still allow it. Use your vote and vote out all incumbents. We need a whole new slate.
Local — The sacking continues—times are tough. Industry is lost, good jobs are lost. Everyone cutting down to compensate. Everyone, that is, except government—federal, state and local. Torrington increases the salary of its school superintendent, and wow—look at the perks! All kinds of plans to build schools, alterations at schools, to redo City Hall, for the old City Barn, the new City Barn. It is reported that they want to build a new school because next year there will be eight more students. This as they report an expected big drop in school enrollment in coming years. If there is some logic there, it escapes me. Teachers can't live on $40,000 per year while many taxpayers are doing it on $20,000 or less. We have to wonder about the quality of education here when the educators cannot handle their own budgets.
The powers that be have, over the past many years, given away the store in union contracts. The city is $65 million in debt and they want to create the position of Finance Director. The City has $50,000 to add to the state's $50,000 to fund the downtown study. Study after study after study, all having taxpayer monies handed away on silver platters. I would like to just once see a breakdown on one of these studies and really see where the money went. Why do we need to spend $100,000 to study downtown Torrington on top of all the previous studies on file? A former school principal, Mr. Rocco Rubbo, has written letters outlining his thoughts on downtown. These ideas did not cost us a dime and they (his ideas) are interesting. Also, I don't see how we can afford the new toy the Fire Dept. wants.
Remember, we must vote them out. Our elected officials are burying us in debt while enriching themselves and their friends.
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