David R. Busang – 6/11/06

This page was last updated on June 13, 2006.

Corporate welfare; David R. Busang; Beaver County Times; June 11, 2006.

This is the third letter from Mr. Busang in 10 days.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.

“PNC Financial is probably the biggest banking institution in this area. It must have billions of dollars in assets with annual income in the hundred million dollar area.

“And it’s a sure bet that the CEO and corporate officers are also paid in the millions annually. Why just last year, PNC purchased the Riggs Bank franchise in Washington, D.C., for only $652 million.

“Any now, PNC, a very solid financial corporation, is going to build a $139 million complex in Pittsburgh.

“Having said all that, why is Gov. Ed Rendell going to give PNC $30 million of the taxpayers’ money to help fund its $139 million complex? Can’t he find something else to use that money on, like health care, schools or maybe just good old road and bridge repair/construction?

“Our Democratic governor is starting to act more like a Republican.”

[RWC] I guess Mr. Busang doesn’t pay much attention to the press releases issued on a regular basis by our local Democrat representatives. These guys are constantly telling us how much taxpayer money they gave to this business or that.

As far as acting as a Republican, we need to make a distinction. There are “real” Republicans who embrace conservative principles and there are Republicans who pick and choose. Most of the “a la carte” Republicans (Rep. Hart and Sen. Santorum are two examples.) like to throw money at businesses just as Democrats do. Real Republicans don’t engage in this activity.