States Should Say “No Thanks” to Federal Assistance and Govern Themselves

The major reason most states are in such financial difficulty, at least the ones that aren’t completely corrupt like California, New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey, isn’t necessarily due to their own fiscal irresponsibility; it’s more due to federal involvement. Other than Vermont, all states have some sort of requirement to balance their budget.

Yet the allure of the all mighty dollar is all too often just too tempting for state governments to pass on. I hear it all the time, as I’m sure have you. The state of such and such has been awarded an education grant or highway grant or whatever grant from the federal government to the tune of $10 million. This will help needy children get condoms or something.

Well, where does the state receiving the largess think the money comes from; Obama’s stash? Yes it comes from the federal government who takes it from us, funnels it through the federal government labyrinth of worthless departments and returns a few scraps back to the states, or it simply borrows or prints it. And of course they give it up as a good will gesture, with no strings attached. They wouldn’t be looking for anything in return? They wouldn’t be looking to bribe a congressman or senator into voting a certain way, would they?