How about tarring and feathering?

For years our governor and legislature have mismanaged the budget, refused to make critical reforms and continued to seek tax and fee increases.

Their failure to address the unsustainable level of teacher pensions and healthcare benefits results in millions of dollars being redirected away from the classroom every year. Their failure to expand school choice and increase educational opportunities condemns tens of thousands of children to failing schools.

Their failure to stand up to Big Labor raises the cost of doing business in this state. As companies shed jobs and flee the state, thousands of residents find themselves uprooted from their lifelong homes searching for jobs elsewhere. Meanwhile, those left behind watch their home values plummet.

Then, as if this wasn’t enough, the governor and legislature threaten us. Instead of fixing the structural problems, they tell us they will slash spending on police and fire protection, prisons, health care, and education.

Despite all this, The State News believes recalls shouldn’t be used as threats. In the 1700s, wayward politicians would be tarred and feathered. Today’s legislators should consider themselves fortunate.

[Letter to the Editor - The State News. Published 07/24/2007.]