Stupid is as Stupid Does

from Prov Journal, 11/21/08
....At least 41 states are facing budget shortfalls in the current or coming fiscal years, according to the national Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
But the center found that Rhode Island’s current budget shortfall –– which amounts to more than 11 percent of state spending –– is the worst in the nation. The next closest state is California, where the budget gap equals 9.4 percent of its general fund....


REALLY? REALLY??!!
There is not ONE person in this state who votes, listens to the radio, watches TV, reads the paper or speaks to anyone else living here that IS or can be surprised by this. It is ludicrous and disgusting ~ and completely predictable. The people of this state have3 allowed it to be run by their elected officials like an irresponsible teen with their first credit card.

They've borrowed against future tobacco lawsuit settlement dollars to pay the budget; They've based a major proportion of the budget on proposed gambling revenues; They've allowed corruption within their ranks to run rampant; The major unions wield unprecedented power over budgets and contract; They have made irresponsible decisions regarding the welfare of the people, economy and infrastructure at almost every turn; They have encouraged the continuation of an "old boy" network within every level of government ranks; They have played partisan politics with a 99% Democratic majority. The despicable ethic is so entrenched that a relatively huge proportion of elected positions at every level are filled with unopposed candidates; Every decision is made with no thought for the future and every thought for personal gain. The state or the people are considered with contempt by those elected.

It's despicable and disgusting ... and anyone who has not worked to change it before now deserves what they get.