(Posts like this not only convince me that we've been right all along to encourage the participation of "differently winged" folks interested in a genuine conversation, but also give me just the faintest glimmer of hope for the MA GOP. Well done. - promoted by David)
As has been noticed, Porcupine has been fighting to convince the Senate not to gut the DTA car program. There are a few final observations that need to be made - hopefully, BEFORE the Senate reaches a decision on Sen. Baddour's amendment.
First - since when does Porcupine, Slayer of Taxes, advocate for government spending? This is really an illustration of why Porcupine doesn't go over to the Libertarians entirely, but remains a Republican. Not all government spending is automatically bad. Government can and should be made smaller and more efficient, but this program is an example of teaching a man to fish. |
| The program is not a categorical entitlement, like giving people over 65 a 25% discount on auto insurance, even if they have multiple vehicular homicides. Instead, it encourages and rewards beneficial behavior by enabling the recipients to work - without compelling behavior, like smoking/candy/transfat/Kryptonite bans. It sends the right message - that helping people become productive and useful, and less dependent on government for aid, is a constructive use of government funds.
Second - Porcupine is beyond dismayed at the lack of simple intellectual curiosity among the opponents. It may well be that some opposed the program prematurely, before becoming familiar with how it works, but Porcupine shrewdly suspects that some continue to oppose the program because they don't want to admit publicly that they misunderstood and were wrong (DeLeo at least was smart enough to apply a qualifier to his opinion!). Why the rush to punish?
Third - a companion to the lack of curiosity is the lack of creativity. On Red Mass Group, Porcupine posted THIS, offering a suggestion that the dreaded AAA membership could become gratis from AAA, especially since the auto club and the RMV are beginning a new partnership that will allow the RMV to lay off more help, and will bring foot traffic to the AAA offices. But the towing service is just the beginning. We have dozens of GMC and Chrysler dealerships on the chopping block - some with only weeks to get rid of inventory. Many of them have older cars taken in trade, difficult to sell. We have a program that parcels out cars, and auto dealers about to be forced in bankruptcy because of excess inventory that must be liquidated. Can nobody in state government see a mutual need here, and a chance to broker a possible solution for both parties?
Porcupine knows beneficiaries of the program, and will not argue the poignant need of the recipients. Rather, can we not be good Republicans and help those who want to help themselves? |
