It makes me sick

I am sick of hearing self-righteous politicians grandstanding for cuts in government spending and preaching fiscal responsibility while wasting money on pork. I am sick of Tennessee Governor, Phil Bredesen promising state cuts with plans for layoffs and fugal management yet still supporting pork. I am sick of the mainstream media pandering to this deception when they know, through years of experience, that money to spend will always miraculously appear to fund the pork. I am sick of being misled by those who serve us and I am sick of being taken for an idiot who is expected to believe the lies.

History has shown that government will be the last group to suffer a financial meltdown. If our grandchildren's money can be squandered on failing banks and the incompetence of Wall Street, it is inconceivable that government could fail to have money for its cozy little projects. And I, for one, am sick of it.

A few months ago Bredesen hatched a plan to pay state employees to take early retirement to avoid lay-offs, then the so called stimulus money flooded into state coffers preventing the well publicized catastrophe. Not a word from the ever vigilant media on the growth of state employees at that point. Almost like they are an arm of the state, there to keep the peasants placated with upbeat propaganda, the media watches while government continues the squandering of precious resources. Remember the last state meltdown. They come almost every year, so remembering one can't be difficult. Usually state bad tidings accompany a request for more money (higher taxes). It has occasionally been known as Tax Reform, Income Tax, or even just plain old IT. But it means higher taxes and I'm sick of it.

The media likes to use non confrontational labels for things they know their readers will not like. And the word Reform has a special way of making even the most distasteful idea sound appetizing. Immigration Reform. It must be good if you keep reading and hearing it from the trusted guardians of freedom. Doesn't it make you want to vomit?

When a politician can easily get away with misleading their constituents by pandering to the public's dream of smaller and less demanding government, they will tell you what you want to hear with no intention of honoring their words. Without the cooperation of a corrupted media it would be difficult for them to hoodwink the public. But they do, and I am sick of it.

Within the last month our local representatives have be heralded for voicing concern over wasteful spending by state government when coffers are supposedly dwindling and then being praised for earmarking money to move communication towers for the new Cleveland airport that no one wants but a few wealthy and connected people. It is unnecessary pork for the porkers. And, I am sick of it.

Even if everyone was in favor of a new airport it should still rank lower than education. The Bradley County School system has just experienced their toughest budget in memory, yet the airport remains completely funded and on track. Where is the shortage? I know, the airport is being funded solely through aviation fuel taxes, and will not take one cent of local money. Yeah right! I don't hear about the millions already spent by the City of Cleveland, or even what is the final cost of the completed project. I would bet the farm it will cost two or three new schools or decent city streets and sidewalks. Or effective city drainage and sewer system that works. Maybe Cleveland could install bicycle lanes and locate community bicycle centers and drop-offs. Even build a state-of-the-art senior citizen center. But no, they waste it to replace an airport we already have. Now, that really makes me sick.

My point is not to find ways for government to spend money, they excel at that without help, it is to set priorities of spending that provide the most benefit to the greatest number of people through honest representation.

Where are the leaders that can make it happen and not make me sick?

That's what I think. What do you think?


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