Residents of Bell the real problem

I've been following the pay scandal in the City of Bell for a week now, in local and national media. Basically, the media caught wind of outrageously high salaries for city officials -- the city manager makes just under $800,000 per year. KFI640 AM is bashing the city problems right now.

My take:

1. The situation is not unique. Self-serving politicians can be found in every city, and every county, from coast to coast. They are the norm, not the exception.

2. The blame for the pay scandal falls on the shoulders of Bell residents, for whom the greedy politicians work.

3. Public apathy always results in the public getting screwed. The people at the John & Ken Show on KFI feel this way, also. Most people are more interested in American Idol, sports scores, and iPhones than electing fiscally responsible leaders. Hearing the people of Bell complain about salaries is amusing.

The City of Bell, California is a microcosm of what's occurring on the national stage. President Obama overspent by $1 trillion in 2009. That's $1,000,000,000,000. For 2010, he will spend 1.09 trillion more than he has. People are already very angry -- Obama's approval rate has dropped to an all time low of 44%. Obama needs to be reminded who controls the checkbook; it's not him, and not the legislature. We are in control.