On July 10 I decided to go to the New Jersey Election Law Enforce-ment Commission (NJELEC) Web site to view reports of the local Republican and Democratic candidates in East Brunswick. I telephoned NJELEC on July 11 and was eventually told by someone in compliance that none were filed. I asked, "Since they were due in May and in June, what is the penalty?" I was virtually told that NJELEC can’t do anything.

That is when I came up with the real solution to our problem of funding education in New Jersey. Why don’t we get rid of all the government workers who do nothing, as well as many of the political officials? That would save billions over time, especially if you count their pensions. That’s right — not millions, but billions.

To the silent majority who earned their jobs by merit, I say get rid of the patronage jobs, get rid of many of the elected offices that serve no function.

Don’t be silent any longer. Write to the newspapers, not to your local officials — they’re the cause of the problem, not the solution.

Steven J. Weintraub

East Brunswick