Look at it this way, the guy at the local jewelry store is having a banner year sounds like, and he is probably spending it with local merchants also. While we may not like the way our tax dollars are spent, in the long run the local economy gets it back somehow, we just don't see it. Just my opinion, as I have voted for the idiots in charge and can't change it til the next election, which I have and will continue to do until someone gets it right.