Here is a direct quote from Tom Decker’s letter in the November 4 issue: “If we are truly honest with ourselves, deep down we all know that virtually all government programs are vastly wasteful and very expensive while rarely, if ever, delivering the goods and services of the quality, efficiency, and effectiveness promised.” The attitude expressed in that paragraph is a sad commentary on what should be our feeling toward our unique democracy. Our public servants do the best they can to provide for the general public what individual citizens cannot do for themselves. This includes everything from massive public works (such as the Interstate Highway System, Hoover Dam, TVA, etc.”) right down to the local pothole patrol. Unfortunately, it takes money. And anyone can disparage any project, no matter how beneficial, as someone else’s “pet project.” Thankfully, people like Tom Decker are in the minority.