Our company owns a group of newspapers near Boston (not GA). I read an editorial in one of their papers recently about “found” money by one of their cities. It seems leaders of this town had bemoaned the economy according to the same script you hear everywhere.
The difference there was that on two different occasions when program cuts were announced, a miracle happened and the government leaders “found” money to save the day. This time, it was $1.2 million. Not a bad find. I wonder if we have any money hiding around here.
Our federal government announced Friday that the great “Cash for Clunkers” federal program might have to end early (like after less than a month) because they don’t have enough money. Congress gave them a billion dollars to spend and they are about to be overdrawn at the bank.
If I remember right, the original idea was to get the gas guzzlers off the road. Fewer old vehicles will help make us less dependent on oil. That sounds reasonable to me. We wrote about a woman who purchased a new vehicle in Valdosta under the federal “clunker” program. She told the writer that $1,000 had been the best offer she could get for her car until now. After getting $4,500 for her car from the Feds and another $4,500 from the dealer in rebates, she was a happy new car owner.
She is now driving a more fuel-efficient vehicle. So what went wrong?
We have way too many people who want to take advantage of the program. Driving to work any morning in South Georgia, you will see many qualifying vehicles. When they gave billions to the big corporations, big banks and automobile unions, no one said we might not have enough money. Now when we are actually seeing a little wealth distribution our way, the money is running out.
In late September or October, President Obama says there will be a vote on the “new” National Health Care plan with the “public option” to cover everyone with health insurance.
I do not know how much money is going to be in the national health account, but I do know it will be a bit more (actually that would be a BIG, BIG BIT more) than what our government set aside for the “clunker” program. Now I can accept I will have to keep my old car for a few more years, but when the doctor opens my chest for heart surgery that is not the time to hear there is no money to pay the bill.
Hopefully, they will be able to find some of that “found” money. How silly of me. I just realized that once the Feds learn that our state and local governments are “finding” money, they will just “take” theirs. My suggestion to you is to eat an apple a day and find an old coffee can — we are going to need it.
What We Think
From the publisher: Feds: Oops! We are out of money
- What We Think
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Elections: Creating a two-party region?
Twenty years ago, most area elections were decided during the primaries. Then, almost every candidate qualified as a Democrat. While there may be plenty of challengers on the ballot, many seats were decided in July or a few weeks later during the primary run-off.
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Thumbs up, thumbs down
THUMBS UP: To South Georgians making fine impressions on television singing competitions. Phillip Phillips of Leesburg won “American Idol” this week. Meanwhile, Lowndes High School graduate Stacia Watkins participated in the new ABC show “Duets.” Well done!
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Farewell to the vanishing ace
Donald S. “Bush” Bryan was not only a rare individual. He was part of a vanishing breed.
An Adel resident for the past 30 years, Bryan was a World War II flying ace. Not just an ace but a double ace. A pilot must down five enemy aircraft to become an ace; Bryan downed 13.3 enemy planes in Europe. The fractions represent planes downed with other pilots. -
A widespread mosquito alert
In announcing the discovery of a mosquito carrying the West Nile Virus strain, city and health officials did not include the specific location of the discovery.
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Of Guantanamo Bay and a Founding Father
Some readers may wonder how a Valdosta High School graduate could bring himself as an attorney to represent a Guantanamo Bay prisoner charged in connection to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
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Congratulations, VSU Softball!
This weekend, Valdosta State University Blazers Softball became the latest team to add to Valdosta’s TitleTown legacy.
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School’s out so watch out!
Summer is a time of rest, vacations and trips. It is a time when school is out, when people take time off from work, when people may stay out a little later. It is a time of swimming, trying new things, and seeking adventure.
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Qualifiers are next leaders
While the national media focuses attention on the presidential election, it should be remembered that we will also choose our local leaders this year.
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Thumbs up
THUMBS UP: To the 2011-12 arts season. Theatre Guild Valdosta’s rollicking comedy, “Caught in the Net,” officially brings to a close a magnificent schedule of shows ranging from theatre to opera to concerts to art exhibits and more from a variety of area venues. Theatre Guild will also open the 2012-13 season this summer with the musical “Into the Woods.” Until then, arts lovers can soon enjoy a new series of exhibits from the year-round Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts and three musicals starting in two weeks from Peach State Summer Theatre.
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Events that get things done
Finding something that repeatedly attracts the public is difficult enough, but finding an event that accomplishes that feat while also promoting your organization and helping others … well, in many places, that’s a rarity.
Not so for the Valdosta area. - More What We Think Headlines
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Elections: Creating a two-party region?
