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What a happy surprise it was to open the Sentinel this morning and read the following front page headline: “Unions Forego Salary Boosts.” This gesture could create a groundswell of good things to happen. Kudos to our Santa Cruz city police and firefighters who will give up a portion of their pay increases to help reduce the city’s deficit. Kudos also to City Manger Dick Wilson for making the suggestion to them. This move will save the city approximately $1 million over the next three years.

I do believe that all government cost of living increases should be suspended until our budget is in balance. However, now, if all Santa Cruz city leaders would willingly take cutbacks in their wages, the city deficit would get smaller, or maybe even disappear. Then, if the Santa Cruz County Supervisors would willingly take the cut in their high yearly salary of about $94,000 for approximately 35 meetings per year, plus a pension, and personal cars and perks, and if our CAO Susan Mauriello would willingly cut back on her close to $200,000 per year, plus pension, etc., our county deficit might even disappear.

Talk about a wonderful ripple effect. Remember, the fish always stinks from the head down, and if our state lawmakers would willingly take cuts in their salaries etc., our state deficit would also shrink or disappear.

Finally, that move might inspire our lawmakers in the U.S. Congress to give up their exclusive retirement fund of $14,000 per month per congressperson, and instead, join the more reasonable Social Security retirement system with the rest of us schleps. Just think, instead of a countrywide deficit, we would probably have a large surplus. So much good could come from this voluntary generosity. The poor, handicapped and mentally ill could have their desperately needed benefits restored to them. And, best of all, every willing participant would feel an indescribable warm glow of joy for making this joint goodness happen.