Free Money

 Carl Langley joins the ranks of those who criticize the Aiken Standard for its stand on the Stimulus.To their credit they do publish the criticisms even though they don't always print all of the news. See Jim Wetzel's letter of March 17.




March 18 Letters to the Editor
3/17/2009 2:42 PM
Don't take the bait of 'free money'

The Aiken Standard has now joined Rep. Jim Clyburn among the elite ranks of those condemning Gov. Mark Sanford for snubbing the offer of free stimulus money from Washington.

I realize how hard it is to resist the lure of free money, but Rep. Clyburn, like all liberal Democrats, thinks everything in life is free. I didn't expect that of the Aiken Standard.

For the record, our governor didn't turn down the free money outright. He just wanted to use the funds to help the state offset its debt and for other uses that will not nurture recurring expenditures.

For those less informed than the governor and I, let me remind folks that federal money is often freely given and just as often freely taken away. This leaves the ones foolish enough to fall for the lure fishing about to find ways to deal with the recurring costs. And that means from each budget year to the next and for as far as one can see into the future.

If the federal government would send down the money with an irrevocable guarantee that the cash flow would keep on coming is one thing. But to assure taxpayers they would not be saddled with future costs is a radically different matter.

During my eight years as mayor of New Ellenton I am proud to say I never rose to the bait, whether it be "free money" from state or federal levels. I know how those people operate (all bureaucrats will probably run shell games in the afterlife), and all that is needed is for you to take the bait. Once done you are hooked for keeps.

I have been at odds with the governor on various issues but on this one I am on his side and urging him to stay firm. My message is don't take the bait because the billion dollars you take this year won't be there next year and you will be forced to either raise taxes dramatically or cut costs dramatically. Either way the governor loses because the home folks have short attention spans, forgetting, of course, that Washington started it all.

I can't imagine the Aiken Standard chiding the governor, but I expect no less from Rep. Clyburn. He is fused for life to the public teat and apparently thinks everything (mainly money) is free. I wonder if he has ever held a real job and had to make a payroll. His biography lists him as a lawyer, which serves as a disqualifier immediately when it comes to handling other peoples' (taxpayers) money.

So let us go forth and battle bravely into the teeth of this recession and don't be foolish enough to fall for the old budget gimmick of here you see it and there you don't. You can go fiscally blind that way!

Carl Langley

Aiken