A Spending Problem

Most who testified at last Friday’s state legislative listening session in Brainerd urged lawmakers to spend more or at least the same amount of your future tax money. And every single project, service and support system was important, valid and justified. More money for district courts; yes! Money for a vet’s nursing home; of course! More money for education; absolutely! Support for those who find it tough to fend for themselves; definitely! We’ve never had a problem finding ways to spend more tax dollars.

Minnesota has had at least three financial meltdowns in the last ten years; doom and gloom events that include days, weeks and months of legislative ranting, raving, and hair-pulling histrionics mostly to prove how much elected officials care. What absolute nonsense! If you have $100 until the rest of the month and you’ve already spent $98, or $110, its time to tighten the belt, not look around for handouts. The next financial meltdown – yes, there will be more – will make this one a walk in the park.

Last week’s session was more about preparing for re-election than balancing a budget or building a stronger, more prosperous, more exceptional Minnesota. Watch your mailboxes and newspapers for calm, reasoned, researched pleas for more of your tax money, suggesting Minnesotans aren’t taxed enough! Last year’s increases weren’t enough! We need more!

Perhaps there should be an organization called Big-Spenders Anonymous. We could have meetings, serve lots of coffee and tell other members how we’ve stopped spending beyond our means. Other members would applaud and congratulate us for our vision and self-control.

Too many of our elected officials have a problem saying no. Or finding other ways to solve problems. We don’t have a state budget problem. We have a spending problem. And going on another binge won’t help.