Here’s another one of those stories that will never see the light of day in the MSM. Sandy Springs, originally a part of Fulton Country, GA, tired of seeing their tax dollars sucked into Atlanta and getting nothing in return, incorporated in 2005. Basically creating a new city from scratch, they were able to plan for fiscal responsibility from day one. Six years later, they have no long-term liabilities!

But they do have quality services at reasonable prices. And that’s primarily because everything, other than police, fire and EMS (who all contribute to their own benefit plans), is contracted out. Sandy Springs hired a city management company which sub-contracts out all the various services. Their operating costs are $25,000,000/year in contrast to the $50,000,000/year that an average city of comparable size spends. Also note that the two people who were key in the city’s development were not professional politicians.

Great video from reason.tv – “Sandy Springs, Georgia: The City that Outsourced Everything”:

My favorite quote, from the mayor: “If your city is fixin to go bankrupt, there might have to be some changes.”
Maybe I should tell that to our Leftie neighbor:

On second thought, I better not. They have a sign on their front door that reads: “NO CHRISTIANS”.

OK, we’re now officially paying more for gas each week than groceries. Stopping to fill up the tank has never been one of my favorite activities, but it’s getting downright painful. Although it is a comfort to know that the state is enriching their coffers at our expense.

According to the Tax Foundation, Michigan is one of nine states with an sales tax (6%) on gasoline. That’s in addition to the excise tax already imposed by both the federal and state governments. Here’s a map showing gas taxes for each state (at least we don’t live in California!).

So this morning the government just got about $8.00 more from us. Just happy to do my part

Stop listening to the talking heads and the sophistry emanating from Capital Hill. If this last week teaches us anything, it’s that neither political party is actually interested in fixing anything. Daniel Greenfield explains exactly where we headed: “What We Can Learn from the Soviet Union”. And it ain’t pretty.

Everything is politicized and nothing is accomplished. A project used to begin with a vision and end with a structure. Today it begins with diversity and ends with a bailout.

Ideology creates a reality gap as its proponents try to use it as a guideline for getting things done.

When given power, they address every setback by trying to expand their sphere of control.

As the society’s morals and codes break down– the human wolves come out to feed. Revolutions are begun by idealists, but completed by tyrants.

Thadeus McCotter is a U.S. Rep. for Michigan’s 11th district. (Wish I could claim bragging rights, but that’s the district next to ours.) Last month I attended a local Republican function at which he was the featured speaker. Unfortunately, the Q & A session was too short and I didn’t get a chance to ask him if he was considering a senate run for 2013. Sure hope he is! Articulate, and thoroughly grounded in history, philosophy and constitutional principles, he’d be an awesome replacement for either of the huge liberals (Levin & Stabenow) that we’re stuck with now.

Video is from yesterday (April 8th) – hours before the country was heroically saved from the devastating effects of a federal government shutdown.

Here are McCotter’s U.S.House and youtube sites.