Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/18075
Don’t Bring Home the Bacon by JOHN HOOD Incumbent lawmakers, regardless of party or position, have a favorite slo- gan for this stage in a political campaign: “Re-elect me or else our district will lose its pull.” I detest this argument, and seriously consider its utterance as a reason to vote for the challenger — any challenger — as long as he or she is not an evi- dent crook, demagogue or economic illiterate (advocacy of trade protectionism or “living wage” laws is an automatic disqualifier, naturally). I’d rather be rep- resented by a backbencher with principle than by a footpad with “pull.” Perhaps the most-objectionable reason offered to return an incumbent to office is a promise to “bring money back home.” It represents a repudiation of fiscal responsibility and a poverty of imagination. If elected officials agree that much government spending is wasted — be it at the federal or state levels — and then vow, smiling conspiratorially, to get “our fair share” anyway, they are helping to perpetuate a costly fraud. The relative pittance of taxpayer funds that a “powerful” member of Congress or the General Assembly can deliver to a local district pales in significance when compared to the cost of extracting taxes from the district, shipping the money to a capitol city, skimming off shipping and handling charges (the political class gets paid first), and then sending the money back denominated in giant novelty checks. Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. But he does not reside in Raleigh or Washington. There is nothing magical or wonderful about government pork. When politicians announce their masterful finagling of the system to secure a local grant, taxpayers should respond with scorn, not celebration. The funding system is rigged to make virtually everyone poorer, give virtu- ally everyone the impression that he is getting a little richer, and leave virtually everyone with the sneaking suspicion that everyone else is getting a lot richer — and it’s all because the local representative doesn’t yet have enough senior- ity! How convenient. This is not an argument against representative government. It is better than the alternative. It makes sense to apportion legislative power by district, among politicians who are elected from specific geographical constituencies, so as to ensure that a wide variety of talents, experiences and viewpoints gets rolled into the policymaking process. But representative government should not devolve into a system of regional sales reps, each one peddling his supposed legislative influence to dangerously uninformed voters as if selling vacuum cleaners door-to-door. Which, come to think of it, is an apt metaphor for what most lawmakers do — suck the money out of your pockets, purses, and couches all the while telling you what a great bargain you’re getting. At this point, my more-cynical readers are probably waving my argument away dismissively. Idealistic nonsense — the system is what it is, let’s just get at least our share. No. The system is what it is because we allow it to be. We have the power to send our lawmakers a message: that we want governmental lead- ers to start leading, to start addressing major public problems with con- certed, thoughtful action. I have my own list of actions I want to see my representatives in Congress and the state legislature take up next year. For example, now that government spending makes up nearly 40 percent of America’s gross domestic product, law- makers should start by closing our yawning budget deficits without more taxes. We’re taxed enough already. Next, reform the tax code. Reform Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and other fast-growing entitlements that threaten our fiscal future. Expand choice and innovation in education. Defeat Islamic totalitarianism. Redirect our trans- portation dollars to alleviate congestion and get America moving again. Combat the crime, disorder, and social decay that continue to inhibit progress in our inner cities. Defend our constitutional rights against enemies, foreign and do- mestic. Restore freedom of speech and property-rights protection. Once significant progress is evident on these key priorities, maybe we’ll be willing to watch a few press conferences at which you announce your latest teapot- spout-to-nowhere. Until then, save your breath and save our money. JOHN HOOD, Contributing Writer. COMMENTS? 484-6200 ext. 222 or editor@upandcomingweekly.com 36 UCW OCTOBER 20-26, 2010 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM Seniors Will Love the Gift of Time by MARTHA OWEN AND SUSAN GUY If you’re a little low on cash or strapped for credit this holiday season, here’s a bit of good news. What the senior on your shopping list may want the most won’t cost you a dime. In a Home Instead Senior Care 2008 nationwide holiday survey, when given the choice of what they’d like to receive for the holidays, 8 of 10 seniors surveyed said time would be the most spe- cial gift they could receive this year. No doubt the older mem- bers of a family have watched children and grandchildren grow up and are missing the time they used to spend with them.Think how thrilled the senior would be to have a day, or even a weekend all to themselves with their loved one! Possibly an after- noon together, a special lunch at a favorite restaurant or a trip to a popular spot that they have enjoyed in the past would be just the thing. Or, if the senior is still living at home, consider donating your time for a For many seniors, the best present they can receive during the holidays (or any time of the year) is the gift of time with their loved ones. weekend to clean house, grocery shop or cook a meal. Your creativity will be worth the effort and go a long way toward making the holidays special for the older individuals in your life. You could also give a gift that keeps on giving throughout the year. Make your special outing or time at your loved one’s home a regular event, perhaps one Saturday a month or during another designated time. The event does not have to be away from home or expensive. The important aspect is that you cared enough to visit and give the senior your undivided atten- tion, no T.V. blaring or cell phone ringing to distract. For families who live far away, the gift of time from a Home Instead Senior Care CAREGiver can fill the need for companionship as well as accomplish- ing tasks. This gift could be in the form of a gift certificate to be opened on Christmas morning. Everyone wants to know that they are loved, espe- cially during the holiday season. It can be a sad time for a senior who has lost many family members and these spe- cial times can be just the “gift” that will make it a perfect season for receiving. MARTHA OWEN & SUSAN GUY, Contributing Writers. COMMENTS? 484-6200 ext. 222 or editor@upandcomingweekly.com