Letter: Sorry to see Turner go

It is with much regret to read that Ross Turner will no longer represent taxpayers in his position to protect the public against irresponsible and out of control government taxes and spending.

City, county and state elected and appointed public employees have locked in step increases for their pay and benefits that are now 77 percent above their nonunion civilian equals. The early retirements before age 65, pensions double to triple those of civilians, and inflation adjustment of pensions are not sustainable.

Our nation is permanently loosing jobs from substitution of technology for labor and globalization to control costs, This means fewer sales, income and property taxes from non-government employees as our nation adjusts to a new era of frugality and reduced consumer spending.

The sub-prime creation of Fanny Mae and Freddie Mac mortgage lenders, by Congress, created a decade of overpriced homes obtained with government subsidized lending and no down payments. As home prices reduce to normal pre-1990 levels, the false sense of wealth has disappeared.

City, county and state representatives need to permanently reduce spending to adapt to this new era of austerity. Officials who will champion reduced taxes and spending need to be elected to protect citizens against big government.

Joseph J. Neff
Corning