Pragmatism Trumps Ideology

 Pragmatism Trumps Ideology

 

The recent Star-Democrat article about the attempts of elected officials to try and save the mail processing facility was both interesting and ironic. Interesting because Republicans Delegate Jeanne Haddaway-Riccio and State Senator Richard Colburn have joined with Democrats Senators Mikulski and Cardin in this effort. They present a convincing case that the decision, when viewed from a cost-benefit perspective, is not good business. 

 

What is ironic is that the basis for the Republicans involvement is their recognition that the loss of a government supported service (the US Postal Service is only a non-governmental agency in a very narrow sense) can have a serious impact on a local economy. The next time the Republican Party demands lower taxes and smaller government it might be a good idea to recall that reducing government expenditures doesn't just have an impact on those employed and the services provided but on those businesses and organizations that benefit from the incomes and expenditures that are spent in the marketplace.

 

Our local representatives should be acknowledged for not letting blind allegiance to an ideology prevent service to their constituents.