Order of Operations

It has been said that politicians all want the same ends; it’s the means over which they disagree. A classic illustration is the concept of abolishing the IRS. Some would want to do it today, but that would put a ton of people on unemployment and increase takings from federal welfare programs that could be worse than the damage the IRS now imposes. Catastrophism, however, has its advocates. Addicts often have to reach rock bottom before they recover, and, argue catastrophists, the sooner the better.

In seeking a path of least disaster, welfare reform seems the most humane way to deal with complaints about illegal immigration. As for what to do about getting Americans off entitlement programs, the most humane first step could well be removing barriers standing between people and making money.

Today, a news article gave hope:

U.S. Sen. Kay R. Hagan (NC), a member of the Senate Small Business Committee, announced Monday that she’s introducing legislation that will reduce paperwork burden on small businesses, freeing them to concentrate on growing the economy and creating jobs.

It was too good to be true, as just two sentences later, Hagan explained:

“My Small Business Common Application Act will reduce barriers that you, as small businesses, face when applying for federal assistance . . .

Once again, sustainable businesses adapt to adversity. High-risk businesses expect government handouts when confronted with real-world vicissitudes. Government grants, therefore, are poison pills.

Get Me Outa Here!

Joe Manascalo wants to be de-annexed from Maggie Valley. The move would spare him $2450 a year spent on services he doesn’t use. Manascalo’s request is considered “legitimate” because he lives on a steep-slope road that will never comply with municipal standards. What’s more, service trucks, like trash collectors and snow plows, must back all the way down to the bottom to turn around. Manascalo has the approval of the Maggie Valley aldermen, and next must secure approval from the state legislature.

Whether legislators from the mountains would be willing to expend their political capital to rectify Manascalo’s plight isn’t known.

Since Manascalo’s request was lodged, others have followed suit. Their concerns are considered “illegitimate.” One party only made flippant remarks about forced annexation, and another joined the town long enough to get sewer lines, and then wanted out.