Progressive states, short on cash, are dangling Medicaid, teachers and emergency services as hostages in front of the federal government. In a 247-161 largely party-line vote, the House approved a Senate bill shoveling another $26.1 billion out to state education and Medicaid programs. The funding has strings attached requiring the funds supplement, not replace, state funds, and the bill mandates each state's 2011 spending on education and Medicaid be equal to or more than this year's budget.
We have a spending problem! Our legislators are addicted to spending taxpayer money. Instead of an intervention, our feeble Congress gives more "crack" to the addict. What kind of sick logic is it governing by? It's time for responsible citizens to stage an intervention in November.
Gary Petersen
Layton