You can probably skip this one

I am going to stray from the norm today. There are things weighing on my mind that I need to get out of my head and into the imaginary world of the internet.

I usually don’t spout off my political views to anyone, much less to a very public blog. But right now, I can hardly think straight because I am so perturbed by the thought of these state and county budget deficits that are at the brink of disaster. California is in a big mess, bigger than most out-of-state people are aware of, and it is not improving. I truly believe we are past the point of improvement, and it is very disheartening to realize that the legislators we have entrusted with our general welfare cannot fix this situation. The legislators that are making hundreds of thousands of dollars each year cannot fix this situation. Hundreds of thousands. Each year. Don’t get me wrong, they have very important jobs, and they have stresses in their lives that I would never want to deal with. And I respect their decision to join the government. But I think if they are so willing to cut funding everywhere across the state, they should be willing to cut their paycheck a little bit, too. If I can deal with impending unemployment, they can deal with a pay cut.

Sigh. I didn’t get on here to rant about overpaid legislators.

They are going to close our libraries.

Every library in the county will more than likely be closed within 1 year. According to the recent budget meetings held by our county Board of Supervisors, there just isn’t enough money in our budget to keep the libraries open around the county. The smaller ones will be closed, and the 4 main libraries will be kept open for 6 months. After 6 months, their budget will be revisited and the decision will be made whether or not to keep them open. To me, that is disgraceful. Because honestly, who really thinks our budget problem will be solved in 6 months time? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

We are $3.7 million in the hole this year. $3.7 million is a heck of a lot of money. And considering we sure won’t be receiving state or federal funds to help us out of that hole, because both of those options are in deficit as well, I’m predicting we will be further in debt by the end of next fiscal year. There is no possible way to climb out of that hole in a year. So where does that leave us?

It leaves us with a fantastic headlining concert at the fair this August! WOO HOO! Jack Ingram AND Trailer Choir will be playing the concert at the fair this year…2 separate acts that could be headlining their own concerts elsewhere! This. Is. What. I’m. Talking. About. How much did it cost to book these musicians? I understand that funds are allocated to certain places within city/county/state governments, but at some point—possibly when we are $3.7 million in debt—shouldn’t we think about reallocating those funds? If we can spend tens of thousands of dollars to book 2 major recording artists for one concert during one night of the fair, why can’t we work a little harder at the things that actually MATTER?

And please don’t get me wrong. I love the fair. LOVE IT. I am one of those people who look forward to it every year; I am a self-proclaimed fair rat. There is no doubt in my mind that the fair is a big attraction for our county and a big money-maker as well. It is an event that gives people the opportunity to relax, let their hair down, enjoy life, etc. I not only understand it, I support it.

Admittedly, I don’t know how all of this government stuff works. I was not a political science major in college, and while I think of myself as well-educated and intelligent, there are things that I do not understand. I am humble enough to realize and acknowledge that fact. I may be incredibly off base with this entire rant, but something just doesn’t sit right with me about this situation. That’s what it comes down to. We are willing to spend thousands on one night of entertainment, but we won’t spend thousands for 1 year of funding for our local libraries. I suppose more than the government, WE are to blame, because we let this happen. With our actions and our votes, we allow these ridiculous situations to crop up. Doesn’t that seem a bit wrong to anyone else?

I don’t have the answer. I’m not naïve enough to think I can solve this problem. I know that our city/county/state legislators are all very intelligent people who have been faced with a very big problem. A monumental problem that they didn’t cause, it had been in the works for decades probably.

All I can contribute are some incoherent, disjointed thoughts jumbled together in a blog. Take that as you will.