BCT Editorial – 11/22/04

This page was last updated on November 22, 2004.

Salutes & Boots; Editorial; Beaver County Times; November 22, 2004.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject editorial.

“Salute: To a federally funded program that will allow Aliquippa to demolish 40 dilapidated houses scattered throughout the community. Once all the paperwork is in place, the work should be done in about six weeks. This worthwhile program will allow Aliquippa to get rid of a number of eyesores. However, Aliquippa needs to tear down many more structures that are in similar shape, and many other older communities across Pennsylvania are in the same position. A massive state/federal effort, one that is fully funded, is needed to attack this problem.”

[RWC] I want to see Aliquippa get back on its feet, but it’s wrong to take from the paychecks and pensions of non-Aliquippa residents to fix Aliquippa’s problems. Aliquippa residents got Aliquippa into its mess; they must be the ones to clean up the mess.

Of course, we’re ignoring the fact that no one has presented any evidence that demolishing houses will help anyone except the companies doing the work. You’ll notice the editorial presented no evidence beyond its socialist belief that government solves all problems. Perhaps if Aliquippa leveled entire neighborhoods there might be a benefit. I doubt demolishing individual buildings throughout the borough will have any benefit.