Reply #9: Commonwealth of PA

[bals]

I'm very concerned that Corbett's budget is going to be
extremely painful and if we reduce our investment in
education, we will only serve to further impede true progress
in Pennsylvania. But it should come as no surprise because if
people listened to what Corbett said during the campaign, he's
doing what he said he would. The fact that the Republicans
also control both legislative houses should give
Pennsylvanians a true taste of what the Republican Party
stands for today, both here and across the nation. 

Corbett also made it clear he was bought for (rather cheaply)
by the natural gas industry and his appointments so far
reflect his commitment to his benefactors.

The consequences of the proposed budget for counties and
municipalities is not good either as we'll continue see
cost-shifting to local governments for the services people
have come to expect.  It will be interesting to watch how much
pressure the Republicans in Harrisburg get from Republicans
back home that will be left trying to fund a growing expense
for services and education.  

To sum it up, we live in a fantasy world where Republicans
(and sadly many Democrats) have been duped into believing they
can have everything for nothing, the government is bad (even
though most people NEED their government for some type of
service), and what is good for corporate America is somehow
good for them