Money's Influence

July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.

By -

Editor, Times-Union:
As the outreach of Washington’s decisions leave their marks across the country, the identity of being American surrenders to being either Republican or Democrat during elections. People galvanize their self-serving interests while money fortifies their bond. The tenets of jobs, social order and infrastructure are challenged by the intervention of power and wealth.

Warsaw is not an exception to this influence. Its one-party government rule reaches decisions with the imbalance of its thinking. Too often such thinking is facilitated by the directives of grant money, or borrowed money and the consequence of having “government grow government.” Consultants are hired, the money is spent, and such a matter, as a new city hall, leaves the community to wonder why?

Through all of this, jobs, social well-being and infrastructure serve as the real needs of our community. Companies looked upon as “too big to fail” would not benefit from small businesses needing to survive.

Gone are the days when Warsaw’s diversified employment brought families from as far away as Prestonburg, Ky., to live and work. Today, Warsaw’s employment is centered on a college education and the transitional living of a “global” career. The implications of people not knowing where they may settle, leaves Warsaw wondering what if? The answer to “what if” is Warsaw’s ability to show social well-being and infrastructure worthy of creating jobs that remain.

Knowing what we have is not as important as who we are and what we need. The “fluff and buff” of success should not mask a vision for a better future. A future where people are known for their community, not a community known for its party.

Jerry Opperud
Warsaw[[In-content Ad]]

Editor, Times-Union:
As the outreach of Washington’s decisions leave their marks across the country, the identity of being American surrenders to being either Republican or Democrat during elections. People galvanize their self-serving interests while money fortifies their bond. The tenets of jobs, social order and infrastructure are challenged by the intervention of power and wealth.

Warsaw is not an exception to this influence. Its one-party government rule reaches decisions with the imbalance of its thinking. Too often such thinking is facilitated by the directives of grant money, or borrowed money and the consequence of having “government grow government.” Consultants are hired, the money is spent, and such a matter, as a new city hall, leaves the community to wonder why?

Through all of this, jobs, social well-being and infrastructure serve as the real needs of our community. Companies looked upon as “too big to fail” would not benefit from small businesses needing to survive.

Gone are the days when Warsaw’s diversified employment brought families from as far away as Prestonburg, Ky., to live and work. Today, Warsaw’s employment is centered on a college education and the transitional living of a “global” career. The implications of people not knowing where they may settle, leaves Warsaw wondering what if? The answer to “what if” is Warsaw’s ability to show social well-being and infrastructure worthy of creating jobs that remain.

Knowing what we have is not as important as who we are and what we need. The “fluff and buff” of success should not mask a vision for a better future. A future where people are known for their community, not a community known for its party.

Jerry Opperud
Warsaw[[In-content Ad]]
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