Kick the can

Governments the world over love to push off problems to the future.  Past the next election, past when they are in office, into the next generation.  An article in the Chicago Tribune from a couple of weeks ago on the consequences of kicking the can a year and a half ago.

16 months ago the Illinois government passed the largest income tax increase in the state's history (67%!), which, of course, was going to solve the state's financial woes.  Of course the state did not make any meaningful reforms to the underlying reasons why they faced such a dire financial mess so now the government is making cuts in health care and are voting on cigarette taxes and public worker pensions.

The excuse given is that pension and health care costs continue to rise and the economy has not rebounded as strongly as expected.  Is anyone really surprised?  Pension and health care costs continue to rise - what a shocker.

Putting off problems until tomorrow, or the day after, or the day after that simply allows the problem to grow and fester.  Putting our heads in the sand and refusing to confront challenges does not make them any less real and certainly does nothing to overcome the obstacle.

Governments are not the solution, they simply get in the way.  Certainly Illinois needs to dramatically cut back on its spending which will likely mean significant (and unpleasant for some) changes to what constituents can expect from government.  If these pullbacks are accompanied by significant reduction in taxes and free markets are given an opportunity to flourish then greener pastures lie ahead - though certainly pain would be felt initially.

So to the Illinois state government: you are presented with a challenge.  How will you respond?  Will you do the bare minimum and kick the can?  Who among you has the courage to do what is best for the people of the state by getting government out of the way?