A Clever Politician with Too Much Power

By Lloyd T. Shanley, Jr., Harwinton

Wasn't it inspiring to read and hear of Governor John Rowland traveling around just before the election, promising all kinds of special grants to all kinds of causes throughout the state, even as we wondered about his authority for this give-away program and where the money was to come from?

Now within but a few weeks of his re-election we learn of his proposal to cut back the state grants to municipalities! These are the funds upon which the towns’ current budgets were built last spring, and cuts in state funding would soon guarantee an increase in local property taxes. This is the same governor who is now threatening the state's employees if he is not given his way!

There have always been a few "statesmen" to help manage government at all levels, but "we the people" often give too much authority to some who are merely clever "politicians"!