Manny Guzman Wants You Looking at the Wrong Kings

The Real Kings of Spending Have Been Democrats—and Taxpayers Are Left Paying the Royal Bill

By Lazaro L. Castellon | The Mifflin Report There is something almost breathtaking about the political arrogance behind Manny Guzman's latest social media attack: "All I see are RINO’s spending all of our taxpayer dollars on frivolous trains, 8 million to take a would be tax-producing building offline expanding government downtown. And NOW… they are getting ready to raise taxes on all the people of Berks County to support their spend-happy agenda. VOTE THEM OUT!" Guzman sees government spending in Berks County and immediately reaches for his favorite political insult: "RINOs"—Republicans In Name Only. According to Guzman, Republicans are supposedly the root of all fiscal problems because county government is allocating funds toward passenger train projects, spending $8 million to buy 600 Penn Street, expanding downtown government offices, and preparing to raise county taxes. But in his eagerness to attack, Guzman's arrogance actually exposes his own political ignorance. Think about what he is actually saying when he calls big-spending politicians "RINOs." He is publicly admitting that when politicians spend recklessly, tax heavily, and expand government, they are acting like Democrats. By calling them "Republicans In Name Only," Manny accidentally told the truth: his own Democratic Party is the true party of reckless spending, government bloat, and endless tax hikes! Fine. Let's talk about government spending, real estate deals, and tax hikes. But Manny Guzman doesn't get to change the subject or pass off blame. Because behind all the complaints about county spending, the unmistakable fingerprint belongs to the Democratic Party that has ruled Reading for over 30 years. The Real Kings of Spending Have Been Democrats If Manny Guzman wants to talk about spend-happy politicians and "kings" of big government, let's look at the party that has held continuous power in Reading for three decades. For 30 years, Democratic leadership in Reading has championed bigger budgets, more government expansion, increased taxation, and continuous taxpayer-funded projects. Now, when county taxpayers face rising costs, Guzman wants to point fingers and scream "RINOs." That's convenient. But taxpayers aren't stupid. They can trace the pattern: More spending by Democrats. More government expansion by Democrats. More tax increases. And when the bill arrives, blame everyone else. If Democrats want to claim credit for state grants and federal dollars flowing into Reading, they must take 100% of the responsibility for the fiscal strains, high municipal taxes, and budget deficits left in their wake. You don't get to rule like kings for 30 years and then pretend you're a victim of government spending. The Raw Numbers: Inside Reading’s Democratic Budget While Guzman points fingers at county government, let's examine the actual numbers produced by his Democratic allies in City Hall under Mayor Eddie Morán: A $129 Million Proposed Budget: City leadership presented a massive $129 million municipal budget. A $24 Million Reserve Fund Drain: To cover operational deficits and keep their growing government apparatus moving, city leadership is draining roughly $24 million from municipal financial reserves across a two-year period. Property Tax Hikes: On top of reserve draining, the city administration originally proposed a 9% property tax increase, which was ultimately set at 6%. Perks & Executive Fuel Costs: While taxpayers face a 6% tax hike, Mayor Morán (who receives a $72,600 base salary) sought a free executive vehicle at taxpayers' expense last year. In the current budget cycle, while the city manages a municipal fuel card contract capped at $760,000 annually, the administration seeks to have the mayor's personal vehicle fuel expenses covered by taxpayers. Think about that logic: While working-class families in Reading absorb a 6% tax increase and municipal reserves shrink by $24 million, Democratic leadership expects the public to foot the bill for executive cars and fuel. The 30-Year Fingerprint Guzman's post attempts to frame every fiscal issue as a Republican failure. Calling political opponents "RINOs" requires no budget analysis, no financial comparison, and no accountability for local governance. It’s just a political distraction. The 600 Penn Street property purchase and county budget decisions deserve rigorous public examination. Taxpayers have every right to ask whether expanding government real estate or subsidizing transit initiatives represents the best use of public funds. But Guzman's outrage is entirely selective. Where was his outrage over decades of unchecked Democratic spending in Reading? Where was his concern when city budgets expanded year after year without delivering proportional improvements in public safety, education, or economic growth? You cannot govern a city for 30 years and then campaign against the consequences of your own political machine. The Taxpayer Isn't the King's Subject Elected officials in Reading and Harrisburg need to remember a fundamental truth: They work for the taxpayer. Mayors aren't kings. State representatives aren't kings. Party officials aren't kings. The taxpayer is the boss. And the boss has every right to inspect the books, question $8 million property acquisitions, oppose property tax increases, and evaluate whether 30 years of one-party rule has delivered real results or just bigger government. Manny Guzman can continue posting on social media, pointing fingers, and accidentally exposing his own party as the true "kings of spending." But taxpayers should look past the partisan theater and examine the 30-year record. The real kings of spending are the Democrats who built the system. Manny Guzman wants you looking at Republicans. Taxpayers should be looking at the 30-year Democratic record. The taxpayers are watching. And they're paying the bill.