Her fourth day in office Madame Governor trooped up to Washington, held out her hand, and asked Congress to give her $18 billion – plus, another billion or so she needs to balance the state budget.

She sat down with North Carolina’s Congressional Delegation, then with Obama’s transition team, handed them a list of things she wants Uncle Sam to pay for and said, “I don’t believe it’s a handout.” Then added, “It’s me here, hat in hand, asking for help.”

Among the things the governor says are urgently needed: $60 million to map flood plains, $24 million for parks and $250 million for ‘green’ technologies. The bottom line, she explained, is North Carolina didn’t create the global economic meltdown – so Congress should pay up to ease our pain.

There are two ways to look at this.

One, with Obama and the Democratic Congress ready and willing to pass out money like water the governor would be a fool not to go to Washington and grab her share. More than her share. The more the better.

But let’s just assume Governor Perdue (and Senator Hagan, who’s pledged to help) are successful and bring home $18 or $19 billion worth of bacon.

They’ll be hailed as political heroes and wunderkind – but where does that leave the country when it comes to the recession? After all, the federal government is going to have to borrow or print the money it gives us.

I reckon you could say, That’s not our problem – it’s Washington’s problem. Better they give us the money than some New York banker.

But the problem is it appears just about every governor has the same idea. They all want Washington to heal their pain – and, Lord knows, there are probably enough fools in Congress who are crazy enough to try. So where does that leave the country?

On the other hand the alternative – to raiding the federal treasury – isn’t too appealing either. It means we have to stop looking for ways to get our mitts on someone else’s money and start looking after ourselves. Which means budget cuts. Which means waiting a while to map the flood plain.

Those are the choices: Going to Washington and getting in line to grab our share of the loot – or facing the music and dealing with our pain – spelled budget cuts – on our own without Washington’s $18 billion.

That’s called a Hobson’s choice. No doubt our state legislators would be delighted to have the $18 billion (which is almost equal to a year’s budget). But the nation might be better off not borrowing another $18 billion – on top of $750 billion for bank bailouts and a trillion for Obama’s new economic plan.

Governor Perdue’s made her choice. She’s grabbing for the loot.

Click Here to discuss and comment on this and other articles.