As the flames approach the VERY conservative city of Colorado Springs we are reminded that this is one of the proud beachheads the Tea Party movement.
The Wall Street Journal says it's "Taking Small Government to the Extreme." The town is strapped for cash, but voters have rejected a tax increase, urging the government to slash services instead. Letters to the town council and local newspapers are pouring in, demanding that community centers be closed, the police department shrunk, and city-owned utilities sold off.
Already the city has had to turn off a third of its street lights, and it's begging for volunteers to handle jobs it once paid forâlike emptying park garbage cans, cleaning graffiti, and staffing public swimming pools. Itâs even asked taxi drivers to serve as extra eyes for its dwindling police force. The model has had some successes, and some conservatives are singing its praises. But poor neighborhoods are suffering, unable to raise the money to replace municipal services like after-school childcare.
Perhaps as disaster is about to strike their city, these folks may wish there was a little more government around.
Thankfully, President Obama is traveling there soon. He is bringing the full force of the government to help this community.
They should thank the generous US taxpayer for coming to their rescue.
Reuters
Praying that everyone in Colorado Springs makes it through this crisis.