State Budgets

Last count I've heard is that about 2/3rds of the states in the U.S. have budget deficits. It's not tough to figure out why: unemployment up = less revenue coming in the door. I, by no means, have the solution to these huge problems. However I do have a bit of insight. I believe there to be 2 areas that need to be investigated in regards to state spending. #1 - who receives unemployment. Laid off? Fine. Job eliminated? Fine. Fired? Nope. I think this is simple enough. The reason this comes to mind is interesting. Someone I know well had to fire someone who falsified documents IN FRONT OF a State official. This person was fired. This person now receives unemployment. This is completely and utterly ludicrous, absurd, ridiculous, disgraceful, obscene & offensive - and I cannot think of more adjectives to describe this at this time. If I could, I would definitely include them as well!

#2 - health plans for state/city workers. Pardon me - but who out there in the 'real world' has no co-pay on their health insurance? The state could save a TON of money by making their plans 'average' along with the rest of the working world. I am not saying cut the insurance to pieces, but come ON. Co-pays have been in the traditional realm for YEARS - in fact - for AT LEAST over a decade. WIth the number of employees - just think of the premiums the State could save. In just MN. Now multiply that by 50 and think of what the country could be saving. Wowzers.

In my last post - I ripped on the RNC and Rep office holders in general & specific power players. Including my Governor. He is at the top of my s*it list at the present time. He's not alone - all MN state reps and Senators are with him. My 'beef'? The handling, or not handling of the budget. Mr. Pawlenty has held a long stance of not increasing taxes. I get it. It's well known. But to take the stance 'Do it my way, or I'll do it for you'? I think that is beyond what we are prepared for and should EVER accept. The budget passed included raising taxes. And was passed at the 11th hour, so no hope of over-riding a veto. Now Mr. Pawlenty will be balancing the budget his way. Cut cut cut cut cut cut cut cut - but no cuts to K-12 education because that is bad PR. So Yes, I am mad. I am mad at the House & Senate for trying to call Pawlenty's bluff. HELLO? Pass it in time to override his veto you idiots! (But make sure you've got the votes to begin with you morons.) I am mad. I am mad at Mr. Pawlenty for taking the 'my way or the highway' approach. This is the behavior of a dictator. NOT a democratically elected Governor. Talk about taking a lesson from George W. And no, that is not taking it too far. Really - are you comfortable having your Governor wielding that kind of power? I'm not. And I don't care what party s/he is a part of. If that is the way its gonna work - then why have a House and Senate to begin with? And that brings me to saving money #3.

#3 - Only have 1 body to the state legislature. (No House & Senate - just 1.) NE does it. Works great & saves a ton of money. Go check it out. It's do-able & plausible. Times that by 49 and think of what the country can save. Let's go!

You know - I think government in general would highly benefit from having average 'joes' looking at their budgets and hacking away at them. Once you get seated & engrained into the bureaucracy, it's tough to see what is 'normal' and what should be done. Perhaps this is an option... brings to mind the 1993 movie "Dave" with Kevin Kline impersonates the President. He has his accountant friend (Charles Grodin) go through the budget to see if $ for shelters can be 'found' so they won't have to close.

So there's my rantings for the day. We'll see if I can't find something 'nice' to write about next time!