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Health & Fitness

The Facts About the Facts

Thoughts on our expanding budget discussion.

If you're reading much of what's being circulated these days about Brookfield's budget, you may get the impression that that boards and commissions have no grasp on reality, that decisions are made cavalierly without thought or reason, and that the town's fiscal house is lurching toward ruin. 

Can this realistically be the case? Can it be true that the people we know and have elected — sometimes repeatedly — are so wrong about so much? 

I don't believe that's the case. In fact, I know it's not. 

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What I do believe is that there's a tremendous amount of passion being presented as absolute fact, when reality is often more complex. We now live in a world where we're bombarded with communication. And we face increasing challenges in how to discern the difference between what's accurate and what's positioned for effect. 

A recent mailing to Brookfield residents from a new Political Action Committee in town cites President John F. Kennedy as saying "If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich." 

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This is actually from Kennedy's inaugural address in 1961. Here's a more complete quote, in its original context:

"To those peoples in the huts and villages across the globe struggling to break the bonds of mass misery, we pledge our best efforts to help them help themselves, for whatever period is required — not because the Communists may be doing it, not because we seek their votes, but because it is right. If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich."

This was not a clarion call for holding the line on tax increases, but instead a commitment to do something broader — to work for the common good of the world. This was a generous and inclusive goal, one that inspired many from my generation. This is the same speech where the President called on Americans to "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." This was a call to unite in common goals, and to commit resources to achieve these goals. The creation of the Peace Corps (a new expenditure of US funds, by the way) was just one of the ways JFK followed through. 

OK, JFK is not commenting on our budget. But when I read that the Board of Ed routinely hides hundreds of thousands of dollars with the implication that there's a half-million in this year's budget, not only do I take that as a personal affront, but I know that reality is far different, and complete answers are steeped in complexity, not sound bytes. Yes, spending decisions are all choices, but the Board of Ed and Town budgets represent the collective work of dozens of people over extended periods of time. These budgets were put together and approved by Brookfield residents who have dedicated significant time over years to learn about and understand the intricacies of complex organizations. These budgets were created through compromise between differing points of view to achieve the best result in the most cost effective manner. These budgets were crafted by fellow Brookfielders who care about our town.

On a recent trip to the Washington DC area to visit my parents, I heard a radio discussion on the fiscal challenges facing the US government. One of the people speaking offered the view that a budget is a moral document. An interesting perspective to keep in mind as we work to move forward as a town.

For me, I hope you vote, and I urge you to support the good work of your elected officials. We're all working together for the good of the town — for the common good.

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