Fiscally Responsible Government? Yes! Kind of....

So imagine my surprise this weekend when the front page of the newspaper announced that our favorite permanent government contractor UDOT was not starting around $4 Billion dollars worth of projects that were slated to start next year.

You may ask, why was I surprised. Well, perhaps it's cynicism about government, lack of faith in elected officials or just an overall negative vibe I get about government but I was actually happy to see this headline on Friday.

Many people are really broke up about all these projects that they want done and are throwing a hissy about their project not getting done. If I may be Frank for a moment and not Kirk. I applaud our state government and UDOT officials for this decision. They are practicing what I have been talking about in our nations plethora of failing businesses and industries asking for bailouts from the federal government, our state has made a very commendable decision.

It's not that they don't have the money now to fund the projects. It's the fact that they foresee some economic slowdowns ahead and are saving the money to meet the other obligations of government. Ho-rah! You mean government is saving it's money and looking into the future to avoid a shortfall in revenue? Good work.

It's not as if UDOT is going to let little potholes turn into big sinkholes, enveloping entire city blocks. They just aren't starting any new projects because the bonds they issue will be paid for by tax revenues(which are down). Imagine my surprise when I opened the paper and found a story of a government office exercising responsibility with tax dollars! As a result of these actions, I don't think that you will soon find the state of Utah lined up in the state bailout line behind California, New York and Nevada (who is by the way, lobbying officials to alter Nevada State law to decrease the legal gambling age to 18 to help out these poor, suffering casino owners that are verging on having to sell their 19th Ferrari to keep their penthouses.) They should really read our newspapers down there in sin city.

This announcement may affect some jobs in Utah, but maybe they will finally figure out that it doesn't take 10 guys to fill a pothole and practice a little business sense now that it seems like they are doing the right thing and pinch some pennies. Granted Utah state law mandates a balanced budget but I still give props to UDOT who has a little now-demonstrated clout when it talks about fiscal responsibility and looking into the future without reckless abandon (at least on the budget side).

Poor CEOs

From a less-than-enthusiastic polling audience-(8 Voters)

It was decided that the CEO's of Bailout/Bankrupt companies should have to sit and listen to non-stop Rosie O'Donnell as punishment. I think they deserve harsh punishment but come on people we don't need to resort to torture.

Random Ramblings in Dixieland

Although I am sick to my stomach that the House passed the Emergency Economic Stability Bill today I am going to take a break from discussing this muddled mess. All I can say is God help us and I hope it works. There's nothing I can do about it now other than let it eat at me and kick the bums out of office in the next election cycle.

So we came down to the house in St. George for conference with Carin's folks. The ride to St. George with 3 kids three and under is always exciting. When we stop to get lunch we are often stared down the whole time because we have twins. You just smile. Most people mean well. The others I just beat down. Yes, we meant to have another kid, No we did not use fertility, Yes they are twins and yes they are identical. It always makes me wonder if people actually think before opening their mouths. Are they twins?! Um. Yeah-here's your sign.

Carin and I also discussed what we were going to get do for the twins birthday. I like my birthday and the free dinners and special treatment as much as the next guy but come on....if anyone should get special treatment or a gift on a birthday it should be the mother that birthed the baby's ginormous cranium. Really kids, we're glad you're here but go over and give your mother a hug. I did not have to talk very persuasively to convince Carin of my philosophy. Thoughts?

Another random thought....We took the new Legacy Parkway for fun today just to see how many dead raccoons we could re-run over. Apparently the extreme-enviros that held up the construction of the parkway for 10 years forgot about the little bandits-of-the-night. Poor fellas. The enviros from St. George have done a much better job protecting our little animal friends. If you have ever driven the Red Rock Parkway above St. George by the Dixie "D" you may have noticed the little 12 inch fence running along the side of the road. Desert Tortoise my friend. Desert Tortoise. It's a cute little fence anyway and I have never seen a dead tortoise. I would have liked to see them installing it though. I love to honk and wave at people doing stupid things....especially "neckers" on the North Ogden Divide.

And third....any of you who many have a commercial drivers license tell your truck driver buddies not to pass other trucks on a hill unless they are sure they can actually pass. Nothing worse than driving through "beautiful" central Utah at 30 mph.