Maastricht Treaty revisions needed?

[kandrathe]

You believe it is a myth that the Government of a very large nation can spend public money to stimulate the economy in one tiny part of that nation by taking money from elsewhere? Because that's all I'm suggesting.

Temporarily, yes, a large productive economy can sustain a small drain to a tiny part. The net effect is still negative, even though the tiny part might thrive (or be relieved) for awhile. Ultimately, sustained handouts create an ever growing dependency.

The result, however, is that there is not just one, there are many tiny and yet needy spots. But, like my two kids, once one gets a treat, the other one wants his fair share. There are always many open hands, when money is being doled out, but never enough when the work needs to get done. Whenever our belts need to be tightened, their allowances are reduced or withheld due to lack of performance, the whining begins. The giveaways always start out tiny, or are described as revenue neutral, but we see time after time they are not. Even when they start out self sustaining, the process is bastardized to widen the spigots tipping the spending ever higher. They are usually based on outright forged numbers and assumptions of an ever productive economy.

It might have been kinder to dedicate the money to provide free college or vocational education for the destitute lumberjacks(jills) and their children, and watch them move out of the area to places where their productivity will contribute elsewhere to a growing economy. Or, perhaps, if they choose to stay, some or them will use their training to start new ventures, and regrow the local economy.

This area looks to be a victim of its distance from the interstate, and its distance from Seattle, Spokane, or even medium sized population centers. It really needs a hook. Sometimes its just a little thing that grows, like the Grand Marais Art Colony on the north shore here in Minnesota. Why should thousands of people from Seattle or Spokane go out of their way to go there and spend their money?