(Crossposted on Maryland Politics)
AP has been on a bit of an unplanned break recently, as he had to endure an accidental and catastrophic loss of the hard drive on his laptop. While trying to publish a business-related web site, I hit the wrong button and deleted everything, managing to devolve my computer back to its factory settings. But, with the help of some software CD's and a crafty Eastport businessman, I am up and running again.
And now to the business at hand. It seems that some fear-mongers have taken full advantage of the bridge collapse in Minnesota. Presented with the chance to propagandize the 'Doomsday' budget, state senator John Astle didn't disappoint, proclaiming in The Capital.......
I believe eventually we are going to have a crisis in Maryland.....Our (transportation money) is down, and eventually we are gong to have to close down some bridges because of safety concerns.
(This quote is verbatim. Memo to The Capital: good proofreading--"gong"?)
.......conveniently ignoring the fact that
officials said yesterday that .....these local bridges are safe.
To further detract from Mr. Astle's assertion, Mike Busch was quoted in the same article:
They are very expensive projects, and for the most part the federal government puts up the lion's share.
So, even if we have a doomsday budget problem--we don't, we have a spending problem--this should have minimal impact because the federal government pays the majority of the costs for roads.
Don't be fooled. The Democrats will have you believe that unless they raise taxes--a lot--our lives will be ruined. 'Our bridges will collapse, fires will go un-fought, police won't be able to keep up with crime, schools will turn away students', they will persuade. NOT TRUE.
Roads, bridges, fire, and police are some of the select few businesses that the government SHOULD be in. We need these things. What we do not need are Kent Island land deals, funding of pet projects, and increased government. The state should get its priorities straight, and spend our tax money on things everyone needs.
