POLITICAL DOWNSIZING

In what western New York calls "political downsizing," communities are voting by referendum to reduce the number of seats on town councils

Discouraged by unemployment and depopulation and frustrated by politicians' inability to solve either, voters aren't just throwing the rascals out of office -- they're throwing out the offices, says USA Today.

The movement's theory, as voiced by its founder, Kevin Gaughan: The best (and maybe only) way to cut government is to start with your own representatives.

It's part of a national wave of frustration over big government that was illustrated this year by raucous town-hall-style meetings over health care and the rise of the Tea Party movement. There's even talk of dissolving whole villages (which are parts of towns but levy additional taxes and have their own elected boards):

Last month, with visions of a 40 percent tax cut in their heads, the villagers of Limestone voted 3-to-1 to dissolve.

Downsizing is not unique to New York:

Holyoke, Mass., for example, has lost a third of its population over the past 75 years but kept a 15-seat council.

This month voters elected to consider changing the city charter and possibly reduce the size of the council.

"Everybody is becoming aware that local governments are spending well beyond their means," ... "There's a sense that something's out of control."

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