Some things are concerns, but secondary concerns. The question I ask is whether the federal government should be involved in them. Some things are better done at a state or local level. When it comes to international affairs, certainly the federal government has the responsibility. But, other things like social security, health insurance, or infrastructure should be handled at a state level or local level if possible. The government makes big noise about stuff like broad band internet for all areas, but really, the spread here has been phenomenal and within a few years everyone will have it. Why? It makes good business sense, so companies are investing in getting everyone wired.
The problem sometimes with federal approach is that the money gets spread evenly, even if that doesn't make any sense. Using homeland security as an example; The state of Washington bought a multi-million dollar hazmat facility that was put into moth balls with no one trained to use it, while vulnerable targeted places like Los Angeles and NYC are reeling from the increased costs of defending their infrastructures. Northern states needs more highway funding because the freezing and thawing cycles destroy our roads very quickly, but in order to get the funding we need here, we have one of the highest state gasoline taxes in the nation. Another weather related cost is heating oil, we *must* provide heating for people, even when they cannot afford it as it is a matter of life and death. So, in most ways it makes no sense to treat Maine and Hawaii similiarly.
The problem sometimes with federal approach is that the money gets spread evenly, even if that doesn't make any sense. Using homeland security as an example; The state of Washington bought a multi-million dollar hazmat facility that was put into moth balls with no one trained to use it, while vulnerable targeted places like Los Angeles and NYC are reeling from the increased costs of defending their infrastructures. Northern states needs more highway funding because the freezing and thawing cycles destroy our roads very quickly, but in order to get the funding we need here, we have one of the highest state gasoline taxes in the nation. Another weather related cost is heating oil, we *must* provide heating for people, even when they cannot afford it as it is a matter of life and death. So, in most ways it makes no sense to treat Maine and Hawaii similiarly.
Quote:I'd argue that health care is more important right now than terrorist attacks, since terrorist attacks have killed a few thousand early, but health problems can kill a few million early.I'd say that the biggest health problems in the US are that too many people are snarfing on the nacho's and not getting up off the couch to get a little exercise. OBL and heart disease are bad for your health. I don't want to wake up in ten years and find the US has the same kinds of terrorism problems that exist in Isreal. I would really hate that.
”There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy." - Hamlet (1.5.167-8), Hamlet to Horatio.
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