Deukmejian’s Proposed Budget

We are in trouble! This budget proposal confirms it. This budget report is evidence of the decline of leadership and continuing mismanagement of social service resources by our government (Part I, Jan. 11).

Gov. George Deukmejian alone is not culpable for the proposal. He is certainly accountable. But so is the Legislature. And beyond that so are our corporate and social representatives, including we the people.

This proposal is not the result of the budgetary process. It is the culmination of inadequacies of government to manage the public affairs of society--a decline whose beginning could only be calibrated by an economic historian.

This budget and its attack on the impoverished is yet another slap at the consciousness of society, alerting us to the continuing demise in our social values and our inability to manage the needs and demands of our materialistic world.

The governor challenges the Legislature to revise restrictive budget policies such as “entitlements” or guaranteed annual program increases tied to the rate of inflation. Individual legislators respond with nonspecific tough talk. None of our elected leaders are being straight-forward and candid. They have collectively failed to communicate with the public, to educate, and to provide the leadership so critical to our social well-being.

Faced with economic constraint, the governor has taken the easy way out--delete those line items that will create the minimal public upheaval and political heat. By his decision, he has attacked the medically indigent; the aged, blind and disabled. And if he receives legislative pressure, the next in line are the mentally ill, senior nutrition, alcohol and drug treatment programs.

Wake up, America. We must demand public accountability and a return to social responsibility. Given the clear realities and provided the level of leadership enabling us to respond, it is up to us to respond to the challenges that lie before us.

JOHN J. RETTE

Executive Director

Orange County Medical Assn.