Governor Pat released the “Next Chapter of Carolina Comeback” yesterday. You may read it on his web site. Here are my opinions:
On “Powering the Economy: Energy Exploration”:
The inclusive, long-term energy plan does not impress me. Do we really have appointees smart enough to foresee the waves of technology and the personal choices associated therewith? I think not. As I said before, the best option is to let people demand what they want, and let entrepreneurs rise to meet the demand, held liable, of course, for any disastrous “unintended consequences.” Today, I’m a little sick of committees and acronyms.
On “Governor’s Transportation Vision: Moving People, Moving Products”:
I like the title, because government discussions seem to forget this aspect of transportation. Governor Pat’s plan, however, is ironic in that it gives the appearance of him trying to accomplish the goal by making transportation pretty. Huh?
On “Funding Our Future: Investing in Education/Teacher Compensation”:
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again since nobody’s listening. If you want math and science teachers, you need to make schools safe for logical minds to navigate. Touchy-feely. PC insanity makes us want to puke and run.
On “Putting Patients First: Medicaid Reform”:
We are told, “The governor wants Medicaid to treat the whole person, including mental health needs, and not just treat a patient’s physical symptoms.” Eek! It sounds like a plot for a 1980s heavy metal video. Might Governor Pat reconsider his choice of words, as I do not want government wrapped around me, controlling my whole person. Eek! Get away!
On “Rebuilding NC: State Capital Projects”:
From this, I gather that government buildings are more important than the homes of the poor taxpayers. Yo, Gov. Poor and rich people out here also froze and paid high utility costs during the last cold snap. I am not a fan of monument-building. I was trained by public schools to view it as a form of archaic narcissism. Yesterday, describing in another venue today’s practice of bilking the productive to gratify the slothful, I said the beat goes on. Remember the glory of the pharaohs and those pyramids that magically, mysteriously appeared?
On “NCGEAR: Too Big to Succeed”:
Finally. For your reading pleasure, I reproduce the burb in full:
The North Carolina Government Efficiency and Reform (NCGEAR) initiative is charged with performing a top-to-bottom review and analysis to see that state government is using tax dollars effectively. NCGEAR will tackle large issues, not trim around the edges, so that government agencies are not too big to succeed. State Budget Director Art Pope is leading the NCGEAR program to review policy, personnel and organization of state agencies.
On “Striving for Success: Performance Management”:
I just hate how some people think they need to control other people, but demonstrate they can’t by coming up with dorky metrics that sap employees of half their creative and constructive energies. Maybe we could eliminate the jobs that are making people feel empty and save some money.
On “First Lady Initiative: Puppy Protection Program”:
Um . . . . I think I hear some metal vids calling me over on YouTube.
