New York State is running out of money, and it’s suddenly a crisis. No one saw it coming—not the unions with their bloated benefits; nor the politicians shedding massive amounts of pork, but not their payroll numbers; nor voters who have it within their power to scan a circle and make a difference. No one.

It’s easy to target those with less power when it comes to cutting budgets: the elderly and truly indigent on Medicaid, schoolchildren and acutely ill people in hospitals. It’s much more difficult to face your most powerful backers and say, “You have enough.” No politician wants to stand up to the civil service employees’ unions and tell them that they will have to suck it up like everyone else. When the pension fund for state workers declined in value, the taxpayers were expected to make up the difference. When everyone else’s 401(k) tanked, no one was waiting with a check for the losses they suffered.

Our representatives must stand up for the general well-being of the people they serve. That’s all the people, not just the ones who can help them get elected with a giant contribution or keep them from getting re-elected with threats, but all of us in New York State who are tired of being weighted by taxation and disparity in job benefits.

It’s also up to the voters. Contact the representatives listed in The News on Nov. 9 and let them all know that they are on probation. It’s work, but it’s worth it. Money talks. Votes can scream.

Rebecca J. Arcese

Depew