Fool’s Gold: Best reason to buy back govt. buildings is, we don’t have to spend that money on education or children’s health

by David Safier

The Goldwater Institute thinks it's a great idea to buy back state buildings now, at no savings to the government, instead of using the $106 million to help build the state.

Republicans have said for the past few years they had no choice but cut spending on education and children's health care — "We really don't want to, but we have no money. Our hands are tied!" Some have even gone so far as to say they're for increasing funding when there's more money in the coffers. Well, tax revenues are up, so they might look like hypocrites if they refuse to increase spending on children's education and health in this year's budget.

But if they deposit $106 million in an account and let it sit there until the bill comes due in 20 years — we don't save a penny by putting up the money now, the money will just sit there — Republicans can keep the cuts and say once again, "We really didn't want to, but we have no money. Our hands are tied!"

In G.I.'s words,

The biggest advantage to this early payoff, though, is that it avoids the temptation to spend temporary money on ongoing programs – the ones that it looks like we can afford now, but that we might not be able to afford later.

G.I. and Republican legislators are fine with ignoring the immediate needs of Arizona's children. They might even argue they're following Jesus' example. After all, according to the Bible, Jesus said, "Suffer, little children." (Luke, 18:16, Matthew 19:14)

Of course, that's not the whole quote. The longer version in Matthew is:

But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

I guess Jesus liked little children more than the Goldwater Institute and Arizona Republicans.