I grow weary of politicians who act as if federal money allocated to state and local governments is “free money.” It’s being practiced ad nauseum as bailout fever reaches epidemic levels. Last time I looked at my pay stub, a good chunk went to federal income tax and entitlements. Federal money is not “free money.” It’s still our money, albeit from a larger pot. That’s why it’s good to always substitute “taxpayer dollars” for “federal dollars” when writing about these issues. The latter sounds as if the money came directly from the government rather than from our pockets.

What reminded me of this yet again is a letter sent by N.C. Rep. Bob Etheridge, D-2nd, asking President-elect Obama to provide tax credits to fund local school construction in Obama’s economic recovery plan. North Carolina would receive $448 million under the proposal.

Earlier this month, N.C. Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-5th, introduced legislation that would deny authorization of the second half of the $700 billion bailout. It won’t go anywhere in the 111th Congress, but at least it upholds the (seemingly) forgotten principle of fiscal responsibility.