Before American lawmakers took to finding cash in their freezers and homosexual dreams in their pages, a 1990 survey found that only 12 percent of governmental votes used rational analysis as a key factor. Not “the” key factor, but “a” key factor. Yet since then, political irrationality has reached for new heights. Consider that over the past year California sued all Big Six Automakers for selling “public nuisances,” Louisiana decided that raising houses three feet is enough to solve hurricane issues in houses 10 feet below sea level and Virginia excluded higher gasoline taxes – the only proven remedy -- as any potential tool for fighting congestion.
And, now, Florida tops (or bottoms?) us all. To assure growth continues in hurricane alley, Florida’s legislature voted to lower insurance premiums on coastal properties and promised $32 billion IF a hurricane hits South Florida. Since the state has less than $1 billion set aside for the next catastrophe and the state insurance agency has twice before run out of money, the plan is, obviously, to bounce the issue to Uncle Sam when the next hurricane arrives. That fits, of course. Uncle Sam, remember, provided $110 billion to rebuild the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina without demanding that houses are at least built above sea level.
Where is it written that all American policies must be stupid? Why aren’t legislators allowed to think beyond the next election? What ever happened to the “smell test?”
Every now and then – like now – a country’s and a state’s leaders must face truth and use rationality as the primary basis for decisions. Sometimes our leaders must face voters with long-term, thoughtful proposals which do more then pass the buck to the next disaster. If we don’t, history shows that disasters inevitably catch up and civilization collapses.
EDIT
http://globalpolitician.com/articledes.asp?ID=2600&cid=1&sid=19
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