Where Does The Money Really Come From?

The Omaha World Herald recently ran a story about the renovations to the Thurston County Court House, touting its new handicapped accessability and the array of funding that didn't cost the local citizens a penny. The article read like a TV ad for a power chair where the old biddie says "and I didn't have to pay a dime for my new power chair". It's time we start thinking about who does the paying because nothing is free and government doesn't create money [ oops that's another coming problem ], it just confiscates.

The county in question is a very small area in Northeastern Nebraska with probably more cattle than citizens. I don't know for a fact, but there probably wasn't a groundswell movement to improve the courthouse. Certainly if they had to pay for the addition. Here's how the OWD reported the funding sources: $396M of federal earmarks, $165M of community development block grant funds, and finally, $350M from Thurston County. $912M to add a three story elevator shaft and restrooms that are accessable for the handicapped.

Aren't there better uses for $912M? I have no idea how many handicapped people there are in Thurston County, but it's not a huge number. I also don't know which offices or courtrooms are on the top floors. But I do know that it would be more financially sound to have the clerks come downstairs and meet the few handicapped residents than spend 900Gs. The cost per trip is insane.

People we need to start thinking. Would we spend the money if we wrote the check? Well the government, and all of its programs, is us and we need to start acting responsibly.