Gov. Paterson recently announced the trouble New York state is facing financially. He said cuts would be necessary to keep the government solvent.

Maybe now is the time for us to realize that government programs are not “free.” New York spends more on education per pupil than any other state (about $14,000). Can this really be “free” education that we all pay for through direct or indirect taxation? Does this money come from thin air?

It is time we stopped thinking of the government as Santa Claus and recognize it's more like a monkey on our backs. Teacher unions hate to admit that this “free” education actually burdens society and needs reforming.

One thing New York could do to solve the crisis is give us back a free market for education. We should at least learn that a diet is healthy for the body politic.

Nathaniel Gilbert

Seneca Falls