I don't see a huge problem with this; the bill passed, the money is going to be passed out, why not take Virginia's share and put it to good use?
Yes, it's beyond totally wasteful, and yes, states should mange their own fiscal needs, and yes, the bill should never have been introduced much less passed. But, it's not like Youngkin can do anything to "unpass" the federal legislation, and not accepting Virginia's share is a lot like cutting off one's nose to spite one's face.
But...now that Youngkin is in a position to have some influence, there are all these people in Virginia - they're called "voters" - whom he can lobby to elect fiscally responsible representatives to Congress who can, maybe, stop such travesties in the future.
It's hard to bring pressure to bear from a campaign, or a "desire to run for office," it's much easier from the Governor's mansion, and even though he'll (probably) serve only 1 term (Virginia term limits its governors to non-consecutive terms) he will be speaking from a much higher position of authority than he was before, and that will bring some political leverage. Let's hope he uses that leverage constructively and prudently.
One problem is 535 congress critters with a MasterCard. All of the cards have the same account number. So no matter if one spends like a drunken sailor or pinches every penny like a Scotsman, their constituents get stuck with 1/535 of the bill.
My tax and spend anti Castro liberal Republican representative used to brag about "bringing home the bacon."
There is no incentive for any of them to be thrifty with our money.
I don't see a huge problem with this; the bill passed, the money is going to be passed out, why not take Virginia's share and put it to good use?
ReplyDeleteYes, it's beyond totally wasteful, and yes, states should mange their own fiscal needs, and yes, the bill should never have been introduced much less passed. But, it's not like Youngkin can do anything to "unpass" the federal legislation, and not accepting Virginia's share is a lot like cutting off one's nose to spite one's face.
But...now that Youngkin is in a position to have some influence, there are all these people in Virginia - they're called "voters" - whom he can lobby to elect fiscally responsible representatives to Congress who can, maybe, stop such travesties in the future.
It's hard to bring pressure to bear from a campaign, or a "desire to run for office," it's much easier from the Governor's mansion, and even though he'll (probably) serve only 1 term (Virginia term limits its governors to non-consecutive terms) he will be speaking from a much higher position of authority than he was before, and that will bring some political leverage. Let's hope he uses that leverage constructively and prudently.
One problem is 535 congress critters with a MasterCard. All of the cards have the same account number. So no matter if one spends like a drunken sailor or pinches every penny like a Scotsman, their constituents get stuck with 1/535 of the bill.
ReplyDeleteMy tax and spend anti Castro liberal Republican representative used to brag about "bringing home the bacon."
There is no incentive for any of them to be thrifty with our money.
So they're not.
"Surprise! Surprise!" -- Gomer Pyle