The big city near me is laying off police officers  

That's a possibility, all right. It'd be great if those private concerns would use the money to help the city out of its deficit, though.

Another news channel reported that the police union rejected wage negotiations. I saw that after I posted the discussion. I guess we all have to be flexible these days but some refuse to do so. I'm reminded of the recent outing to New York by the Prez and his wife--you'd think our public officials could be a bit more fiscally conservative, especially when it's taxpayer money. Not just him, all the officials. I'm just really angry right now.

You're right, and that was the point I was so clumsily trying to make.

Here in Ohio we are going to have libraries closing, police forces reduced, there is talk of downsizing fire departments and our food pantries are fighting to keep enough food on hand to feed the needy. Seems like all the things that are essential to the peoples' well being are being cut.

I would not doubt it, clutterbug. It also says sons shall despise fathers and society will break down.

The criminals are getting bolder. Some poor guy got shot in Dayton a few weeks ago and at his funeral someone opened fire on the mourners. There seems to be nothing sacred anymore. It used to be that even criminals had a moral code--don't molest chidren, don't harm old people, etc--but that's been breaking down for the past 40 years and is pretty much gone now. Anything goes.

I looked at Columbus when I was looking for a house two years ago--I had lived in the Southwest for almost 30 years and was so homesick for Ohio! I used to live in Columbus. It had changed so much, though, that I really didn't want to live there and I settled on Springfield.

They really should cut out a lot of that 85% that is going to programs that don't really benefit anyone. While I've been hungry and homeless in my life and I really empathize with people who are in that situation, I pulled myself out of it with no help from the state and I was the better for it. I can think of a LOT of ways to cut the state budget to manageable figures and still keep our police protection and our firemen.

Dayton is the city I was referring to--it's said to be one of the most violent in the nation and it's not really that big. I'm glad I didn't move there. But they need to increase their police force, not reduce it!