Letters: Readers' thoughts on city belt-tightening

SO, THE CITY has no money, yet everyone and his mother is crying, "No casino!"

How much would this bring in to help the crumbling schools? For the worn-down bridges, the libraries that will have to close, the pools that won't open to give children some relief who otherwise don't get to go anywhere for a vacation, the streets that won't get plowed (that's no surprise, because they don't get done anyway).

And as far as laying off city workers? Well, you have one who makes $90,000 a year doing what? And the DHS workers caught up in the death of Danieal Kelly who were overpaid for a job they didn't do.

Harriet B. Brown, Philadelphia

Re the mayor's budget cuts: Is Latrice Bryant still making 90K?

Steven J. Donegan, Essington

I was incredulous as I watched Mayor Nutter deliver his budget-slashing remarks using the words "share the burden."

President-elect Obama borrowed Huey Long's "Share the wealth" concept where those at the lower end of the financial ladder would benefit from government transfers from businesses and individuals at the top. But our mayor has those in the lower economic tier have their salaries and services cut in order to bail out massive fiscal failure of city finances.

No one should really be surprised. Despite PICA and a few real watchdogs, this day of fiscal reckoning is long overdue as we have been kicking debt structure and contractual mandates down the road for years. When you have only one political party in a city, who is to tell you?

Jim Foster, Philadelphia

I'm heartbroken and angry that Mayor Nutter has to cut services in the wake of a $1 billion deficit. But before anyone starts attacking him, let's point the finger at the real culprit: Sen. Arlen Specter and the GOP's deregulatory crusade.

Arlen Specter has voted in favor of every single deregulatory scheme proposed by the GOP, including the disaster known as the credit default swap.

But don't blame Mayor Nutter for trying to save the city by putting off tax cuts we all want. Blame Specter and the GOP for ruining our economy.

Brendan Skwire, Philadelphia

I saw Mayor Nutter's address on the deficit. But, before deciding on his solutions, I think he took a quick trip up to Massachusetts to get some of that legal pot.

I didn't hear anything about luring new businesses that would love to give the city millions. Oh, you say the casinos wanted to do that, but we don't want them?

After the second toke, he decides he is going to ask his new buddy, Barack Obama for help. I almost cracked a rib laughing at that one. The only thing Obama is concerned with is himself.

And while you Obama supporters are celebrating, the Democrats in Washington are concocting a scheme to take what's left of your 401(k) money. So, enjoy the coming holidays, because it will be "All whine in '09."

Tom Bell, Philadelphia