A Time for Change
Tying times present an opportunity to improve

In its annual survey of Kentuckians, the Kentucky Long-Term Policy Research Center found that more than anything else we want safe, secure communities – not surprising in a year that saw the catastrophic event of 9/11. It is profound to know that we are no longer safe no matter where we are or what we are doing.

Add to that sniper shootings, child snatchings, the near stock market crash and ethical and character breaches of our corporate heroes, and the picture grows more complete. All these things together make us shudder in dread of the world.

On top of it all, we grapple now with state and local budget shortfalls the likes of which have not seen since WWII. While the pinch is just being felt, the pain is coming and it is eminent. Education cuts, rising unemployment levels, cuts in senior citizens centers and arts programming are all beginning to happen.

“What is a citizen to do?” becomes the question. To start, we could welcome the dawning of a new age of local community. Instead of treating our communities like way stations on the road to those that are bigger and better, perhaps we should take what we have and make them better.

A speaker said just following 9/11 that five things had changed as a result of that moment in American history. My own list is of things that should change following that moment in our history:

• Engage in reflection. Think about what we are asking of our governments. Look at your own household or business budget and get real about the costs of items and services. While government must be efficient, it also must serve those who cannot be helped otherwise. In addition, there are costs involved in delivering the services we want and we need to understand that.
• Develop perspective. Could it be that in an effort to turn away in bewilderment from huge problems we have become obsessed with trivia? A penny tax on gasoline or cents on fast food beverages suddenly become the focus of rage even if completely justified by the need.
• Become informed. Understand what we are up against and become educated on realistic ways to solve the problems. Gaming and “sin” taxes are being promoted countrywide as the answer to state budget woes. Yet there appear to be more questions about that than answers.

  Raising cigarette taxes should be raised in a state where they are among the lowest in the country. However, the revenues would likely represent a short-term fix at best. An additional issue is the fact that online purchases of cigarettes are on the rise – in part, because Congress continues to allow Internet trade without taxation.

  The most compelling issue about gaming is the rush by so many to see it as the answer to budget woes. We should be worrying a great deal about the inevitable saturation of the marketplace. To the argument that we need gaming to save our horse industry, that is worthy of examination. The equine industry is the signature industry of Kentucky and great care should be taken to ensure its health.

  Finally, be wary of the “government waste” argument. Governments should be as efficient as possible – including service to those citizens who cannot turn elsewhere. The services that are provided for basic needs that only government provides are costly. It is easy to focus on the visible, less labor-intensive services provided by government.

• Be realistic about expectations. Don’t expect more of government than you expect of yourself. After all, what is government but the collective of “you”? Perhaps the basic lesson of citizenship truly is to hold others to the standards you are willing to meet.
• Be involved in a caring way. Many of our life lessons are learned in family life and they are applicable in city life: Listen more than you talk, care about others as you care for yours, be willing to sacrifice for the common good and have the courage to step forward and do the right thing.
• Like the woman who was crossing the road and looked up to see a car swerving toward her, you jump out of the way. It swerves at you again and again you jump. Finally, you freeze as the car comes right at you. You look as the drivers’ window comes down revealing a squirrel at the steering wheel: it isn’t as easy as it looks, he quips. So, being a good citizen is not easy, but it is well worth the trouble.
  
  

Sylvia L. Lovely is executive director and CEO of the Kentucky League of Cities.
editorial@lanereport.com

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