Stupidity Abounds
Posted on | July 29, 2003 |
Argh! I just saw a news story about South Dakota’s new ‘free’ prescription card for seniors. The story noted that the card offered the smallest savings among most other prescription savings plans. A pharmacist was then interviewed who stated that (paraphrased) ’since the state doesn’t give them more cash, they can’t offer better savings for the state card.’ This seemingly small statement may seem insignificant, but exhibits the exact problem with most government programs and, more disheartening, offers a glimpse into the mind of the average voter.
My question is: where does the money come from for this ‘great’ new state program? Ooh, ooh. I know, I know. It comes from the coffers of you and me and John down the street and Jane around the corner. We cough it up each payday, everytime we buy something, and once-a-year around April.
I have a problem with this. It seems the pharmacist thinks this money comes out of the air. The average voter wants this and that program for themselves, but never stop to think ‘Hmm, we’re just paying ourselves for this program. Why not just keep our cash and invest in the same endeavors instead of passing the control to the government?’
Maybe I’m alone. Maybe I’m the only one that has a problem with paying for drought relief to ranchers when they chose to accept all of the perils of that occupation (droughts and all). Maybe I’m the only one that thinks bailing out the ailing mega-airlines is absolutely impaling the economic dynamic of that sector.
Maybe I should move to a small shack on the beach in Puerto Rico and live the good life.