Yes. I think she is onto something. It is human nature to simply LOVE to spend other peoples money. Also: Liberals/democrats/socialists love spending other peoples money, better than life itself.

I think in certain situations she is right. A friend of mine is a school district administrator that complains about the board she has to deal with because so many of them are uneducated. Although not really her place, she often has to run board meetings and lead them to add two and two together because there is so much they don't understand. Many of them don't even have email. They complain about wanting to watch the bottom line, yet can't even embrace technology which may save them money. Yet these idiots are the elected officials chosen by the people. The problem often is that nobody wants to run for these positions so you get what you get.

I have learned in life that the person who believes that he is the smartest and most informed in the room rarely is.

janesvillian..can't you just give your opinion rather than call her names?

Clearly a cynic and curmudgeon, but these are opinions, not facts, and claims filled with weasel words ("seems", "all", "many", etc.) that make this too vague to be a real argument. She doesn't trust either professionals or the general public to run things, so the obvious question is, who does she trust? That way runs toward elitism. Since she doesn't think anyone is qualified or trustworthy, but DOES think she is qualified herself to judge the qualifications of others.
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Most elected officials of my acquaintance have taken their responsibilities seriously. It's not like they believe a new Department of X building is going to change the world, it's that Department of X needs a new building, probably needed it years ago. Also, we hire professionals to do a professional job for us; that is why they are called professionals. It's to be expected that after we have gone through our selection process that we trust the people we selected.
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Still, many people are shocked at the true cost of facilities, like a new school or a new bus maintenance facility. They're more than a concrete pour, walls, and a roof, though -- there's a lot of specialized equipment, utility installation, and designing for the future that makes up these buildings price tags.
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Finally, her argument that we are "so in debt" isn't really credible. Municipalities, for starters, are bound by statutory limitations on debt. Nationally, we have similar debt per capita to other industrialized democracies like Germany (ranked around 15th), and an even better debt to GDP ratio (ranked around 30th), with a far smaller problem than Japan -- which remains a pretty good place to live (iPads, skyscrapers) despite carrying a burden of debt double ours by either measure for some 25 years thus far. It's a problem, but not a crisis.
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In short, and in the interests of dialog, what exactly does she want to do to "uncomplicate" these challenges?

there is one candidate for city council that fits your description.

When was the last time anyone saw a candidate for office that didn't talk about all the wonderful things they want to accomplish? Accomplishments of this type often involves some expensive edifice or quality-of-life improvements that the candidate can point to with pride come re-election day. Budgetary restraint doesn't produce re-election capital. Accomplishments bought with other people's money also don't get the same cost-to-benefit considerations that private construction gets. Other people's money is much easier to spend and the benefits gained are more often political rather than practical. Indifference to economic feasibility of public works projects is endemic to public officials, particularly local public officials. Rare is the official who concerns himself with costs at the expense of political gain. That's true no matter what level of education these folks might have.

Yes, years; thanks, lovemycountry.
Greg Peck

The next level up? Like when Ryan gave "W" the combination to his "Social Security Lock Box" so W could raid it to fund a war and Ryan got power? Huh, like that? That never happens!

County boards of private citizens with no education beyond high school.
1. most elected or appointed offices are held by private citizens
2. Some times the school of life is more valuable than a life in school.
3. Some public officials are looking at the next rung of the ladder, but are not most private careers built the same way.
(by specifically mentioning County boards, I'm curious if She is referring to Farmers)

Is this Woman overly cynical? more like a case of over generalization based upon a few decisions that did not work out.
The electorate needs to educate themselves on who they are voting for. Go to the forums, read the paper (!), call up the candidate and ask them directly. When only a few vote, Government by and for the People suffers.
Final point, In my years of dealing with local Government, councils. boards and commissions I have found that the vast majority actually do have the desire to do the right thing for the citizens. Thankfully the antics of scoundrels still make the headlines rather than becoming a non story. And that is something the Gazette needs to continue to investigate and report.

She later told me that she worked many _____ ... years ?

Do we really have good government with the best interests of its citizens at heart or do we have the best government that money can buy? It is always wise to look at who funds the various campaigns both locally and beyond. A truly informed vote is hard to come by. The lady's point of view seems valid and insightful.