BCT Editorial – 5/31/06

This page was last updated on May 31, 2006.

Shabby; Editorial; Beaver County Times; May 31, 2006.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject editorial.

“It’s bad enough that our national parks have been crumbling because Congress refuses to allocate the funding they need.”

[RWC] Note the author makes a drive-by allegation without providing evidence.

“It turns out that the Smithsonian Institution’s museums are victims of the same not-so-benign neglect.

“The Associated Press has reported that government auditors last year said the Smithsonian needs $255 million a year through 2013, about $2.3 billion, to fix a deteriorating infrastructure. Some of its buildings are more than 100 years old; many have heating, air conditioning and electrical problems.

“The Smithsonian gets about 80 percent of its money from the federal government.

“The AP reported it received $615 million from Congress this year, and has requested $644.4 million next year.

“In terms of federal spending, $255 million a year - heck, $2.3 billion a year - is small change.”

[RWC] It’s this kind of thinking that keeps spending on the rise.

“But instead of cutting back on its addiction to pork-barrel projects and the rest of its profligate ways, some members of Congress want to charge an entry fee, something that has never happened in the Smithsonian’s 160-year history.”

[RWC] What’s wrong with charging an entry fee? Heck, I assumed there already was an entry fee.

Besides, what does an entry fee have to do with pork? Pork needs to be wiped out whether the Smithsonian charges an entry fee or not.

What about the wrong spending that is not considered pork? Why not cut socialist programs like welfare, Medicaid, farm subsidies, et cetera to fund the repairs?

“The neglect of our nation’s national parks and the Smithsonian is a national disgrace.

“But instead of addressing the problem, Congress is nickel-and-diming our national parks and the Smithsonian into genteel shabbiness.

“It’s nothing to be proud of.”

[RWC] Here’s a radical thought. Make our parks, the Smithsonian, et cetera economically self-sufficient by charging usage fees.