The more difficult the decision made by a governmental body, the easier it is to complain about it rather than offer alternatives.

Take, for instance, the Newton City Council’s decision this week to approve the proposed 2013-14 city budget, which calls for a 15-cent increase in the millage rate. Raising taxes at a time when there is a lot economic uncertainty isn’t always prudent, nor is it very popular.

But the issues leading up to the vote and the final vote itself were all discussed openly, and a public hearing was held to discuss the budget proposal. No one sent any written comments to City Hall; no one came to the public hearing to express concerns.