Reality trumps principles

Though I would like to think otherwise, I have reluctantly come to the conclusion that I am a man of weak principles.

Were I truly principled, I would muster all of my ire and urge the state of Missouri to reject the $4.4 billion in stimulus cash coming our way.

It would send a crystal clear message to Washington that the great state of Missouri is outraged with spending stimulus money that will saddle our grandchildren with untold trillions in debt.

But, alas, with that much at stake for Missouri, principles take a back seat to practicality and reality. Without realizing perhaps that these funds are actually our tax dollars and countless future tax dollars, we'll belly up to the trough with everyone else.

With so many federal strings attached, we'll be somewhat limited on just how we'll spend this newly found windfall. Rest assured, we'll find a way to be stimulated.

We'll take one-third of the stimulus and put it directly into the Medicaid program. Then we'll help pay some teachers' salaries. We'll repair some bridges and highways. And the list goes on.

The $790 billion, 1,100-page, 8-inch-thick and still virtually unread spending bill is designed to create jobs and put money into the financial system to kick start a flagging economy.

The jury will be out for quite some time before reaching a verdict on this expensive relief and recovery plan.

There's already a brouhaha of sorts brewing with some critical eyes being focused on Gov. Jay Nixon's budget, which apparently lumps about $800 million of stimulus money into the general operating budget of our great state. Some want assurance that those dollars are targeted appropriately and with much transparency.

We doubt the good governor is foolish enough to play games with these stimulus dollars.

Like everyone else, he recognizes the stakes of this federal experiment.

With a federal debt bouncing around near $11 trillion, that puts a debt of $36,000 on every man, woman and child.

I don't have to tell you who will pay this debt.

You want to know where our federal government spends our money? Medicare and Medicaid top the list. Social Security runs second, while defense spending comes in third. Fourth is the interest on our national debt.

Those in the majority just nudged that spending level upward a tad this week.

No, were I truly a man of principle I would not stand by and watch this train wreck unfold.

Principled but foolish? It would make no difference perhaps because someone, somewhere will benefit from this spending and since when do my principles trump their need?

When it's eventually time to pay the piper, we'll have but two simple choices. First, we can either reduce the level of government services or, second, we can raise taxes to help pay for this debt when the note matures.

History says we will never reduce government services. And history is never wrong.