Gov. Paterson is proposing cuts in state spending worth $2 billion in the short term, and another $5.2 billion after that. Health care and education are most at risk. And these cuts still fall short of satisfying the state's growing deficit.

“This is the worst economic crisis in this country since the Great Depression,” Paterson, as if anyone needed the reminder.

Oh, some people did.

Senate Republicans say they're against the cuts, as well as any new taxes.

“Education aid cuts, midyear, are unfair,” Majority Leader Skelos of Long Island told The New York Times.

Sen. Tom Libous of Binghamton echoed that assertion, telling the Times "that taking 'money away that’s already been given to people, already been put in their budgets' was 'not fair.'”

Not fair? Of course it's not fair.

It's also not fair that we're in a worldwide economic crisis.

It's unfair that the government is bailing out financial institutions, with the auto industry next in line.

It's unfair that we're watching our once-bright futures fade away as 401(k) accounts dwindle.

It's unfair that employees in my business and others are being laid off.

It's unfair that companies are closing.

It's unfair that things are likely to get worse before they get better.

And how do these state government leaders react to the crisis: Can't cut; it's unfair.

Amazing.