Connecticut: The Lost State

 

Connecticut: The Lost State

Connecticut is the lost state.  It is lost in so many ways it becomes difficult to keep track of.  The daily fear based state media along with our non-functioning government coupled with an Executive Order Governor who is profiting from Covid-19 has created an out-of-control economic debacle unfolding in front of our eyes.  We have a broke unemployment compensation system, excessively high unemployment, businesses shutting down never to reopen again, a net migration of population moving out of the state, the state ranking last or near last in all economic activities, the state ranking in the top five in highest taxes in the country and $150 billion dollars in short and long term debt along with unfunded liabilities.  What’s more to say if we are not lost?  And the reward for this fiscal nightmare is two more years of unchecked one party rule by the Connecticut Democrat Party in this past election.  We are lost as a state.

In case our elected officials do not realize it the shutdown of the state economy due to Covid-19 coupled with the limited reopening of certain segments of the state economy have done little to eliminate fear in the state nor get Connecticut working again.  Is public education functional at all?  What are our children learning in school-how to wear a mask?  The constant unknown in our state is perpetuated by the lack of leadership Ned Lamont has shown in this crisis with again statistics that do not justify the closures that continue to be mandated by Lamont and his consultants.  And what will be done to close the massive budget deficits in the coming budget?

Since we are the lost state the losses in revenues will probably be debated in the following manner:

1. Executive Order Governor Lamont signs an Executive Order mandating tolls.  The Democrat controlled legislature accepts it as law stating there are no alternatives to raising much needed cash for the state (even though people are driving less and that it will increase the cost of living in state dramatically)

2. Legalize all forms of betting.  How much revenue comes in from this is unknown, those most likely to bet are the individuals who have the most to lose and further their problems of being poor and or in poverty.

3. Legalize cannabis.  This would be a liberal’s dream as supposedly the tax revenue that would be coming into Connecticut would be astounding and never ending.  No mention of the continuing long term drug problems that Connecticut has with legal and illegal drug overdoses and deaths-the state is more concerned with the revenue that would coming in.  I see a great deal of irony that we have destroyed the state economy in trying to keep people from dying from Covid-19 while there is a carefree attitude towards drug addiction so long as it generates tax revenue.  Not to mention the amount of young people who will become addicted to this legal drug and move onto stronger drugs in the future.  Not to mention the amount of accidents that will be forthcoming while people are impaired under this “legal” marijuana.

4. Continue to raise all state income taxes and state sales taxes while adding additional user fees to any and every activity that takes place in the state.  This tried and true method I am sure will be sought as the “only” alternative to keep state employee salaries, benefits and pensions at excessively high levels.  In turn these high salaries, benefits and pensions are unsustainable and have given state taxpayers one of the worse managed and run state governments in the country.

A more simplistic solution to the state’s economic problems is one that is rarely mentioned nor endorsed by our current one party rule.  Drastically cut state spending.  We the taxpayers of Connecticut must cut our spending but this concept is unheard of in Hartford.  Then and only then will Connecticut be able to attempt to recover economically from the many years of fiscal neglect and incompetence that has been brought about by the Connecticut Democrat Party.  This Covid-19 crisis has shown Connecticut taxpayers how poorly prepared the state is to protect it citizens especially those most vulnerable during a crisis while allowing unchecked profits to be gained from those politically connected especially for Ned Lamont and family.  I personally am tired of paying taxes in Connecticut to support this fraud and ineffectiveness called state government.  Maybe by not funding Hartford would be a way for Connecticut to find its way again from its lost state status in America today.  Maybe that should be tried this time?