To the editor:

Polk County government is closed again today, Feb. 26, 2015. I stopped by to visit a number of offices to conduct some business and also just to say hello to a few friends. But alas, no one was working. I drove into town from Green Creek with no trouble. Roads were clear. Businesses in town are open, all except county offices. Hmmm. The people who showed up to work are earning a living. That’s pretty good motivation. No work, no paycheck. County workers don’t have to work and still get paid. How? Thanks to those who pay taxes. This is the great divide between the public and private sector of our economy these days. One has a decided advantage over the other, not just in terms of subsistence, but in pay and benefits as well. Smaller, essential government has merit, especially when it comes to cutting paychecks to workers for zero work. I’m a little disgusted by my local government’s decision today to close down.

ichard Shaughnessy
Rutherfordton