Mr. Goodwin I appreciate your response; however, I'm not sure your family is in the "same pinch" as my family, seems impossible to compare the two. Also, I missed your wife's article and was unable to find it after searching the journal online, was that in the Richmond County Daily Journal? Unfortunately, I don't listen to WAYN often. Perhaps other elected officials could follow your lead and sacrifice .5% of there pay for the budget debacle. Seems incredibly unfair that State employees are used to balance the budget we didn't cause this mess our elected officials did by continuing to fund ridiculous programs. Trust that everything that happens now will affect my future votes. I wonder if any elected officials will volunteer for 20 days of furlough next year? I'm sure not. Also, how about the "rainy day fund"....excuse me this is a "rainy day" are they looking for the sequel to Black Tuesday before they empty the fund. This is a deficit of the "State" budget for that reason all people living in the "State" should be affected not just the "State" employees.

Jennifer Norwood

The Republicans worry only about the richest Americans. The Democrats care mostly if not exclusively about the poorest Americans so they can be martyrs. So, who protects us in the middle?

Now you know how I feel about my fellow workers in the Auto Industry. We demand that workers take pay cuts. But we justify the fact that the corporate executives and the corporate owners can continue to receive their outlandish pay and bonus packages. Even if their company is failing. I recently read that one Insurance CEO received over a BILLION in pay and bonuses. Where does it come from that in this Free Market Society that any man, or woman, is worth that type of compensation.

Our public officials are taking pay cuts, our workers are taking pay cuts, our firemen, police officers, and teachers are taking pay cuts. Everyone is tightening their belts, irregardless of political affliliation. But the wealthiest few who have benefitted from the last 40 years of Trickle Down Economics have not made the first sacrifice. And don't believe that "I'll work for a dollar" silliness. Their expense reimbursement and benefit package adds up to more than most people make in 10 years. They ain't hurting.

You want your pay increases back? Put people to work at good paying jobs so they can pay taxes on the money so you get paid for what you do. Quit defending the Corporations right to ship jobs overseas or maintain offshore addresses to avoid taxes in this country. They took the jobs overseas anyway and they weren't paying taxes because the went to the townships, cities, and states and got tax abatements. Then they left.

With Democrats like Perdue, who needs Republicans?

As an NCAE member, she had my vote. I strongly supported her. State employees dedicate their lives for the good of our society. I wonder if she will cut programs for people who contribute nothing to society.

Jennifer's hubby

Thank you, Ms. Norwood, for your message. My family and I are actually in the same pinch that you're in. You asked whether my wife, State Representative Melanie Wade Goodwin, has taken the same pay cut that you, your husband and I have. Yes, she has. She shared that news with folks in her recent newspaper column and on her weekly WAYN radio broadcast. So, our family and your family are taking dual hits from the budget debacle.