"The Democratic
National Convention, a kind of socialistically backwards Santa Claus of
another red suit, is coming to town. And just as is being anticipated with
the Republican Party Convention in New York, another costly and extremely
disruptive ritual of political folly is about to unfold."
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Polly Folly
TAXPAYERS ALWAYS LOSE
Posted August 1, 2004 thepeoplesvoice.org
By: Ted Lang
If it weren't so completely absurd, as well as so symbolic of the police
state society we've been progressively conditioned to, it would be beyond
amusing. Think about it: the people of Boston, the town where the first
major public tea party protesting intrusive government was held, and where
the first SWAT-team type "massacre" took place [only 5 killed as opposed to
80 at Waco], will now host and be highly inconvenienced by the Democratic
National Convention's grand old party.
How can this debacle be deemed a party? Why is it necessary? All the
candidates have been selected and both political parties have exactly the
same platform. And how can it be suggested as being a major inconvenience?
The beleaguered urban serfs and street people have been subjected to the
overbearing beneficence of government over the last several years of
civilized progressiveness.
Consider "The Big Dig," a project to bury an elevated highway originally
touted by government in 1959 as a super highway that would greatly improve
traffic through downtown Boston. After about three decades of the green
painted elevated structure's traffic jams and snarls, causing it to be
denigrated as the "Other Green Monster" when comparing it to the original
"Green Monster," the term used to describe the left field wall at Fenway
Park, the same government that at first thought it a good idea decided to
tear it down and replace it with something better. But the "something
better" overran its original cost estimate by $12 billion, almost six times
the original cost figure, and then took an additional five years to
complete.
But now, after the Big Dig dug deeply into taxpayers' pockets, and of course
federal subsidies were involved, the townspeople's patience and freedom to
move about the country will once again come under attack. The Democratic
National Convention, a kind of socialistically backwards Santa Claus of
another red suit, is coming to town. And just as is being anticipated with
the Republican Party Convention in New York, another costly and extremely
disruptive ritual of political folly is about to unfold.
Not only are these conventions unnecessary and very expensive, but rather
than serving the public interest by bringing outsider dollars into their
respective host towns, the real net effect is the draining of local
treasuries, as well as causing a major drain of taxpayers' dollars through
the usual suspect federal black hole in Washington. Some businesses in the
private sector will profit, but government workers and call girls will make
out best.
Taxpayer funds allocated to both parties by "our" federal government to
finance these lavish events used to be in the neighborhood of about $600
million, if one were to include the absurdity of "matching" political
campaign funds. Recognizing our party government's penchant for
progressively increased spending, it is probable that the price tag for our
"free" election process [intended] now approaches $700 million. And what
are we paying for?
Both Boston and New York will receive offset funding for the costly security
procedures scheduled by municipal police that will require staggering
overtime pay. Additionally, blockades, fencing, gates and private
contractor arrangements for construction labor and security assistance will
also be encountered. According to the Boston Globe, a 15-foot high fence
and netting will convert the FleetCenter into a military style defense
complex.
Originally, the federal government had earmarked $25 million for each city,
but with heightened security alerts, that amount may be doubled, thereby
costing all taxpayers $100 million for city security.
The DNC originally estimated their convention, read party, to cost $95
million; the number has now been revised upward to $130 million. In
addition to the special security costs, and the matching funds arrangement,
most of the latter being used to annoy us constantly via television and
radio commercials, other costs aren't as obvious. Again according to the
Globe, a liquefied natural gas tanker was passing through Boston Harbor, and
additional security precautions required Coast Guard flotilla units and
black military helicopters to surround the big tanker to ensure that Bean
Town was safe from the gas.
There will be many other city, state and federal government agency overruns,
overruns that will not appear as a budget challenge until later in their
fiscal year. Explanations? Sorry, but we had to provide additional
services for the conventions and the election process, both necessary to
keep us free and secure. But are we really free and secure? Hardly! And
now we can add the term "broke" to our other more important lost treasures.
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© THEODORE E. LANG 7/25/04 All rights reserved.
Ted Lang is a political analyst and a freelance writer.
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