The hubris from our city officials is matched only by their patronizing and condescending attitude. The quote in the Sun Journal Nov. 15 by City Manager Pat Finnigan is a perfect example of mealy-mouthed platitudes from Pecksniffian politicians. “But we’re always upset about taxes, nobody feels the pain of taxes more acutely than the city officials.”

Really? Common sense says if something hurts, then stop doing it.

Looking at the proposed budget, I found a lot to cut. The city provides services such as police and fire, road maintenance, trash collection and educating children. Anything else is superfluous. The budget has an increase of 95.2 percent to L/A Arts. If someone wants to look at art, let them pay. Cut it.

• $92,000 to the Lewiston-Auburn Economic Growth Council? You want economic growth, cut taxes.

• $1,000 for training for the city manager? How about hiring someone already trained?

• $47,510 for subscriptions and dues for the council and manager? Go to the library like everyone else.

• $34,000 for “purchased services” for the mayor and council? I’m afraid to ask.

• $75,979 for social services? Of that, $44,879 is for administration and $31,100 is for assistance. Something’s wrong there. That should be for the elderly only; able-bodied men or women shouldn’t get a dime. Cruel, yes, but life is.

We need to stay angry, and, next election, show officials how cruel life is. Just say no to incumbents.

John Clement, Auburn