There is no profit motive in government. That motive, which drives business, requires that businesses operate as efficiently as possible in order to maximize profit. That essential drive is absent from government.

Elected officials have as their prime motive, being re-elected. Hence, they want to be all things to all people. As a result they most often refuse to seriously prioritize, instead maintaining feel good programs as well as mandated services, and reductions in budget lowers all services to a common level of mediocrity.

Managers have incentive to spend. If a manager spent less than his budget, most likely his next year’s budget would be reduced. This often amounts to wasteful spending in the last months of a fiscal year in order to use all of the budget moneys allocated.

Managers have an incentive to grow the size of their departments. The more people they supervise, and the larger the budget they manage the better paying job they can compete for.

Union and guild leaders want to increase the number of members in their union, since more members equals more clout at the bargaining table. They will therefore make every attempt to justify increases in personnel, which when hired would become part of their union.

If my fellow taxpayers wish to be taxed less, the only possible action they can take is to vote for spending limits for government. Because of this I recommend a no vote on the state income tax measure, and a no vote on Proposition 1 here in Island County. Remember, the more money that we give government, the more opportunity there is to be wasteful.

Harry S. Hansen

Oak Harbor