Everything comes at a cost, Mr. President

Dear President Barack Obama: I recently had the pleasure of visiting Guttenberg, which is one of my favorite places. We enjoyed a picnic lunch on the river levee next to the new riverfront project, including the new marina and welcome center. As we commented on the wonderful limestone construction and the cantilevered overlook of the river, I noticed a construction sign from the U.S. Department of Commerce that was signed by you. The sign told of how the Commerce Department had created jobs with this riverfront project and also mentioned how they were “better paying jobs.”

I want to respectfully argue a point regarding the message. First, we have to come to an understanding that all projects, all employees and all property of the government are a cost. Everything the government does is an expense. I am not arguing that the Guttenberg project is not a wonderful addition to a great city. But government projects are costs, not magical creators of commerce and prosperity. Until we start to understand this, taxes will rise, deficits will increase, government will get bigger and we will continue to kid ourselves about who really creates jobs and prosperity in this country.

Burton Davis

Manchester