Having recently read the item in the Times News regarding the cancellation of vehicle licenses for an ambulance service because of supposed unpaid turnpike tolls and reading an almost daily item regarding the incompetent and financially irresponsible operation of our schools I am compelled to respond.

The good citizens of this state need to either force our elected representatives at the state, local and school district levels to do their job and work for the best interests of the people or force them out of office.

The idea that a third party (E-ZPass) should be making the decisions as regards an ambulance service having to pay turnpike tolls is absolutely outrageous. The status of the ambulance, as to whether it is an emergency dispatch or not should not even be a consideration.

However, issues such as this are only to be expected from outdated and antiquated bureaucratic systems and politicians in Pennsylvania.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike and its commission have long outlived their need and usefulness. They were created prior to the construction of the nationwide interstate system. Get rid of the commission and make the turnpike a full part of the interstate system. Unfortunately the commission will never be shut down because the politicians of both parties will never agree to shut down an entity which creates revenue.

The fact that that entity might pay for itself or not will never be considered. This abysmal situation with the Turnpike Commission is merely the tip of the bureaucratic iceberg in Pennsylvania.

What a difference between where we lived in Arkansas and here, where there were so many services for the taxes paid.

A question all of us residents of Pennsylvania should be asking ourselves is how can a state such as Arkansas provide all of these services at a much lower cost per taxpayer with a population base ¼ the size of Pennsylvania and covers an area in the neighborhood of 15% larger than Pennsylvania? It would seem to me that the cost per taxpayer should be equivalent. Welcome to the great state of Pennsylvania where the bureaucracy and your elected officials are at work for you and in your best interest.

Marvin Green

Hometown