My Run for Governor

  Record unemployment, high prices, unbalanced budgets, a Recession. In 2009, our nation was seemingly plunged into an economic frenzy, which was later discovered to be here all along and it was just at this point which we noticed our economies weaknesses. At this time the publics attention was turned from social, international and education policies, to an enhanced focus on economic policy. One of the main economic problems the public, and myself included see is the unbalanced budgets, and the deficits. on the national and state level this is a problem, so what can we do? I will look at my home state of New York, and what they have attempted to solve this looming problem.

       In his State of the State adress Governor Cuomo, said, “We’ve been focusing on this year and the deficit this year, which is a very large deficit about $10 billion,” and to make matters worse, the deficit if left unattended will get worse as the Governor continues, “what’s worse, is it’s not just about this year. Next year, the problem goes to $14 billion. The year after, the deficit goes to $17 billion. This is not a one year problem my friends. This is a fundamental economic realignment for the State of New York.”  With this amount of a budget defecit, we can see how we are spending, way outside our means, and if we don’t stop, we will end up with problems. First this debt will be layed on the future generations to bear, and second, at some point the lenders will cease loaning, and instead of a weaning off of deficit spending, we will have to quit cold turkey style.

       Acorrding to usgovernmentspending.com, New York states total spending for 2011, will be $108.3 billion, with $10.9 billion going towards pensions, $42.7 billion going towards Health care, with another $11.5 billion going towards education. Welfare constitutes $ 8.4 billion, protection is another $7 billion, also transport costs $10.9 billion, with 22% of the budget remaining for other.  While this seems large, Governor Cuomo’s budget proposal, is, “historic for its 2 percent cut in total spending and for eliminating a $10 billion deficit.” acorrding to WRGZ News. I commend both the Governor and the legislature for a timely, budget. And also as stated on the NY Governors web page, “This budget reaches its financial goals with no new taxes and no borrowing, and will also cut next year's projected budget deficit from $15 billion to about $2 billion.”

      “The approximately $132.5 billion budget will reduce spending overall by over 2 percent from the current year, eliminate 3,700 prison beds” Acording to Cuomos Governor web page. Getting a deficit under control is not an easy thing, but an essential thing. 2% is a lot but if we all sacrifice a small part we can collectively make up the 2%. I believe California Governor Arnold Schwarzenagger  in his 2009 State of the State address, said it best, “There is no course left open to us but this: to work together, to sacrifice together, to think of the common good - not our individual good. No one wants to take money from our gang-fighting programs or from Medi-Cal or from education. No one wants to pay more in taxes or fees. But each of us has to give up something because our country is in an economic crisis and our state simply doesn't have the money.” As hard as some of these cuts may be we each must willingly sacrifice for the good of the whole.

$10 billion seems astronomical, and even unreal to think about. And the idea of paying off a debt like this is seemingly more impossible. But here in the state of New York, we have seen the impossible accomplished, the incomprehensible solved, and in a speedy amount of time. aAnd this was accomplished by the Governor and legislature working together, for the greater good. All odds against, and all impossibilities looming, a great feat was accomplished, and a budget deficit eliminated. I believe that if all of our states start tackling these problems, by everyone sacrificing a little for the greater, then we can follow this formula and also balance our National Budget.


REFERENCES.

1) New York State from http://www.governor.ny.gov/sl2/stateofthestate2011transcript, 2011

2) by Christopher Chantill http://www.usgovernmentspending.com/New_York_state_spending.html#usgs302a, 2011

3) “New York State Passes Budget; Closes $10 Billion Deficit” WRGZ News, Mar 31, 2011, http://www.wgrz.com/news/article/116272/13/Lawmakers-Poised-for-On-Time-Budget-Protestors-Clog-Capitol

4) New York, state’s Governors page at http://www.governor.ny.gov/press/032711agreementstatebudget, 2011

5) “Governor Schwarzenegger's 2009 State of the State Address
Prepared Text of Governor Schwarzenegger's 2009 State of the State Address” ,
Published on Jan 15, 2009 http://yubanet.com/california/Governor-Schwarzenegger-s-2009-State-of-the-State-Address.php