I live in the most conservative urban county in one of the most conservative states in the country. I shouldn’t have to worry about out-of-control spending in local government, should I?

Surely the city leaders in Fort Worth must have respect for the taxpayers who fund all their projects. We’re not talking Washington, D.C. We’re talking about Main Street, U.S.A.

There’s been a recent controversy in our newspaper about a female police officer who was injured on the job and whether or not we should continue to carry her on the police payroll year after year when she can’t perform the duties of a police officer. The city council voted yesterday to continue carrying her.

Let me state clearly before I proceed that I support law enforcement. I appreciate the work cops do, and I respect them for it—well, except when they’re running speed traps. I realize their jobs are dangerous, and I think they should be paid well and should have benefits available to take care of them when they suffer on-the-job injuries.

That said, I also think we need to use a little common sense. I understand this officer is paralyzed from her chest down. She received her injury trying to make an arrest. Okay. No question she should be supported for the rest of her life. After all, she was injured because she was protecting us citizens.

But should that support be at a level of luxury far beyond the reach of most people? Do we owe her fine wines and caviar? Fur coats and jewelry?

In her current position, between her paycheck and her injury-related benefits, she makes $114,000 a year. If we quit carrying her on the payroll, she would draw disability benefits of only $86,000 a year, which she didn’t see how she could get along on.

Donald Trump would have trouble living on that, but for most of us that’s a pretty good income. My wife and I are both retired from successful careers, yet some years we don’t make the lower figure, much less the larger one—and that’s with her still working part time as an educator.

I want her to be paid enough to take care of herself and her daughter, but I don’t think we owe her the life of Riley. I’m glad our city council has empathy for people who protect us from criminals and from fires, but who empathizes with the taxpayers who fund all of this?

What do you think?

——————————————

We may not have it all together, but together we have it all.

——————————————

For more information about David N. Walker, click the “About” tab above.

For more information about his books, click on “Books” above.

Contact him at dnwalkertx (at) gmail (dot) com or tweet him at @davidnwalkertx.