Gary Pearce posted on August 13, 2012 14:33
As I ease back into the post-vacation routine, here’s a guest submission from a TAPster:
The recent crash of a Charlotte-based C-130 aircraft while fighting wildfires in the western US makes a sad, revealing point about the mindset of our government today.
That aircraft was a cargo plane, but had been modified to fight fires. In other words, our government used makeshift equipment to provide public safety, apparently because funds are not available to do it correctly.
Wasteful government spending needs to be reduced, without a doubt. But the zeal of the Tea Partyers and other nuts to reduce the size of government made me wonder what our world would be like if these slash-and-burners had been in charge a half a century ago.
Would Tea Partyers have paid for:
· The interstate highway system
· Any of the national parks
· The US Coast Guard
· Any of the government functions that protect our food and environment.
Nothing is more troubling than our government short-changing those whoprotect us. Our guardians should always have the newest and best tools to keep us safe.
Our next president and legislative leaders -- regardless of their political party -- should have the guts to ensure they do.