Our hypocrisy alarm has been sounding recently as we’ve watched a host of groups screaming because the governmental budget ax is swinging too close to their special interests.
We’ve seen the state’s congressional caucus busily writing letters defending Electric Boat’s nuclear submarine operations around Groton. We’ve heard the arts community screaming because the state budget proposed by Gov. Malloy cuts not only their recent gains in funding but also some ‘core’ dollars. We’ve seen social service and education advocates stomping their feet and saying ‘no, you can’t cut THAT program.’
Apparently, each of these groups is convinced the need to cut government spending applies only to someone else’s project.
Sorry, that’s not the way the ‘new reality’ works. The deficits facing both federal and state executives are huge and the time has indeed come for some shared sacrifice, not to mention some shared common sense.
Is it too much to ask interests competing for limited government dollars to make their case? We think not.
We’re disappointed that the state’s arts community has the nerve to argue that it is entitled to certain budget earmarks for funding. No doubt, the arts have value. Having a vibrant community of arts and culture is a factor in luring new business and retaining existing business. Groups that make a difference should be able to make a compelling case for their value and receive appropriate government funding, within the limitations of a tight economy. Nobody should get a check simply because “we’ve always done it that way.” Yes, this approach likely will mean some losers. Those programs that can’t make a case may need to turn to private funding sources.
Same song, different verse for the making of nuclear submarines. The congressional delegation fought hard to win a step up of funding that allows construction of two nuclear submarines a year. That was a win for Connecticut. That was then; this is now.
The Pentagon and Congress have expressed a commitment to the tactical advantages of nuclear subs and that means long-term work for Electric Boat and Connecticut’s southeast corner. That’s indeed great news. But, in the face of troubling budget issues that threaten to force a meat-ax approach to the nation’s defense budget, is slowing the delivery schedule by one sub over a four-year period really a sign of the Apocalypse?
It is not, nor is talk of a new round of base closings. The case for continuing to build nuclear submarines and to build them here is strong. Let’s not be afraid to make that case and let it compete for dollars in the marketplace of the nation’s needs and wants.
The same logic applies at home to the two black holes in the state budget — social services and education. It’s clear we can’t keep dumping money into the pit for no discernible improvement. Reform needs to happen; dollars need to be reallocated from programs that don’t appear to be delivering satisfactory results to new programs that hold the promise of better results. Supporters of programs need to make their case for support, not simply demand more. Those days are gone.
We as a state and as a nation got ourselves into this budget quagmire by not paying attention to details, by letting everybody ‘earmark’ money for their pet projects whether worthwhile or a bridge to nowhere.
We’re going to get out of the mess by applying some fundamental principles to spending decisions going forward. We need to spend within our means and that’s going to force some tough choices.
Programs that are delivering results shouldn’t be afraid to stand up and make their case for support. For those that can’t, this may indeed be a rough ride ahead.
