albanyherald.com 20081119l2.htm Increased costs lead to higher expenses

Having just returned from a trip to Vermont, I would like to relate some things I learned. New York City is running a TV ad for policemen. Starting salary $40,000; after five years $90,000. Plus paid overtime. New York state trooper, $60,000. Just in case you were wondering what homeland security was costing these days. Then there is the fact that most things, Burger King and McDonald’s included average about 20 percent more than we pay for some items. Interestingly some breakfast items are actually less than we pay. Then there are the retirement costs. New York City’s would probably put the car manufacturers to shame. It is an economy based on charging the public as much as can be gotten away with, and relying on Federal handouts to make up the difference. In simple terms, the costs are so high because the public till has been being ransacked for years. If we continue at this rate, our biggest costs will be paying for government. Prices will follow to compensate for these increased costs. Beware, our biggest threat to our wallets are our politicians. WALT SPECHT Leesburg.