Date: Sun, 22 May 2011 14:30:58 +1000
From: Michael Kirkman
Subject: The common good
I like to think that CC residents can look beyond DEM/REP, Black/White/Hispanic, etc. I have lived in the Pittsboro area off an on for 20 years. Pittsboro may be different from the rest of CC, I do not know.
I feel like there has been an effort by some people in CC to use the notion of fiscal restraint (constraint) to influence what is happening in our community. We all want to get our “money’s worth†. But is that because we want to keep more to ourselves instead of making sure that those that are in need don’t fall by the side. More efficient government is a good thing but cutting needed services is not. I like to think that my tax dollars are not wasted (I have twenty acres and a house in CC). I had rather pay my taxes than see CC employees lose their jobs and lose services. Developers and the people that want to make money in CC should pay their way instead of getting a free ride including tax breaks. This is what CC needs to fix. Don’t cut the social services. I have visit 45 states and over 20 counties and as a community, Pittsboro and CC are at the top of my list of places to live in the whole wide world. While your at it, I suggest you go to the Pittsboro Farmers Market on Thursday and support the local community because that is really what is all about – supporting your community.
AND to quote Al Franken who I firmly agree with ”
Yes, I am a liberal, and I’m proud of it. It’s a term we need to reclaim. Because I believe that most Americans are liberals just like me. Most Americans believe in helping people. And most Americans believe that the government has a role to play—to create opportunity, to protect the environment, to provide for the common good. …”
That’s what we have to work on – “the common goodâ€