So the Down East kleptocracy that passes for state government cannot find $22 million to widen NC 16 to four lanes south of 485. A $600 million unearned and immoral surplus sits in Raleigh for Jim Black and his cronies to divvy up, but none of can go to a howling road-building need on the Union County line, as opposed to some “economic development” scheme east of I-95.
You see, they do this because they can, because no one stands up to demand that the state of North Carolina make good on the fundamental obligations it assumes when the state extracts tax dollars from citizens under threat of imprisonment. Roads. Courts. Honest government. These things are not up for debate.
Besides the time for talk is past. Time for direct action. Local municipalities should refuse to remit any funds collected on behalf of state government with the intention of retaining the funds to perform state-abandoned duties, such as road improvement and criminal court administration. Options for seizing and auctioning off state-owned property should also be explored.
The thugs in Raleigh only understand one thing: Brute force. Time to start applying some. Torches and pitchforks, people.
