"Gas-Barrel" Projects

Remember complaining about gas topping $1.50/gallon? Now we would settle for $2.00. Heck, we would settle, if the prices would "settle off!"

Has the higher price altered your activity? We did a webpoll on WFMY News.com recently that showed a vast majority of people plan to alter their activities during Memorial day weekend because of the higher gas prices. The increase has altered mine life. I'm finding I'm willing to make changes because there's less change in my pocket.

But are our elected leaders?
Alamance County is one local government that's considering a property tax increase in the upcoming year. The county manager told us one of the reasons for a hike is gas prices. Counties (and city, state, federal governments) have numerous vehicles they must pay for. We want the Law enforcement officers, the firefighters, the health inspectors to do their jobs. We know there are positions that must use vehicles in order to make our lives better. We know the higher price for gas will hit these departments just like it hits our 'back pocket' department.

However. I'm paying my bills. I'm altering my lifestyle and eliminating frivolous trips in order to keep my bills under control. Since I can't go to my boss and demand a 5-percent raise because gas prices are going up I have to sacrifice in other areas of my personal budget. I have to look at pet activities, like eating out, or driving around to map new bike routes. I have to justify these activities over the trip home for dinner to see the kids. You know what I've found? There are areas I can cut. And, amazingly, they don't cause much pain.

Are elected leaders are looking as hard. Or are those pork-barrel projects so important that they must ask their boss for a raise?

There's got to be give and take.... Not just TAKE.