The Wait Is Almost Over

We’ve waited nearly 30 years, but it’s finally here.
 
Thirty years ago this month, Ronald Reagan was inaugurated. He said government was the problem, not the solution. He promised that – finally – someone would really, really cut government spending.
 
We’ve waited. And waited. And waited.
 
Reagan didn’t cut anything big. Nor did two Republican Presidents after him who talked the same talk. Nor did two Democrats, for that matter.
 
But now the politicians in Raleigh are serious, really serious.
 
The new legislative leaders told yesterday’s business forum that they mean business: “There are no sacred cows at this point,” “We’re going to tighten our belts…match spending to revenue.”
 
But we’re still waiting. Waiting for someone to name one big, expensive government program that they are willing to cut. Just one.
 
This time – for the first time in our lifetimes – somebody is going to have to do it. Not in Washington, probably; they already punted that one in the lame-duck session. But Raleigh can’t print money.
 
Here’s a safe New Year’s prediction: By the time this budget is finished in six or seven months, politics here will look like an earthquake hit.
 
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Gary Pearce

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The Wait Is Almost Over

We’ve waited nearly 30 years, but it’s finally here.
 
Thirty years ago this month, Ronald Reagan was inaugurated. He said government was the problem, not the solution. He promised that – finally – someone would really, really cut government spending.
 
We’ve waited. And waited. And waited.
 
Reagan didn’t cut anything big. Nor did two Republican Presidents after him who talked the same talk. Nor did two Democrats, for that matter.
 
But now the politicians in Raleigh are serious, really serious.
 
The new legislative leaders told yesterday’s business forum that they mean business: “There are no sacred cows at this point,” “We’re going to tighten our belts…match spending to revenue.”
 
But we’re still waiting. Waiting for someone to name one big, expensive government program that they are willing to cut. Just one.
 
This time – for the first time in our lifetimes – somebody is going to have to do it. Not in Washington, probably; they already punted that one in the lame-duck session. But Raleigh can’t print money.
 
Here’s a safe New Year’s prediction: By the time this budget is finished in six or seven months, politics here will look like an earthquake hit.
 
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Gary Pearce

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Archives