We are getting close to one of the most important citizen initiatives ever to be voted on in this state and look at how our leaders are acting. Our governor has no clue; ditto, the Legislature. Local leaders are too busy predicting doom and gloom to even begin to find a way to make things work if the referendum passes, which I hope it does.

Here are a few suggestions for ways we can start saving now and make this work for all the overburdened property taxpayers in this state. First, do away with all gubernatorial inauguration pomp and ceremony. Our forefathers never meant for us to deify these people the way we do.

Second, eliminate all nonessential funding of studies in this state, i.e., the mating habits of fruit flies.

Third, eliminate unnecessary governmental assistants and all redundant state jobs.

Fourth, communities should stop responding to unfunded mandates from Augusta and Washington, D.C. If legislators want to mandate, let them provide funding.

Fifth, re-evaluate and cut salary and benefits for all members of state government back to a level consistent with the people they represent.

This is a quick look at a few ways we could make this work.

People shouldn’t be fooled by the scare tactics from elected people. They are, after all, only protecting their sacred cow (taxes). Instead, let’s take a page from our forefathers and have a tea party on Nov. 2 by passing the property tax initiative.

Ron Gauthier, Greene