Several weeks ago, I was listening to Radio Station WRKO 680, a conservative talk station serving Boston, MA. At the top of the hour, the local newscaster led their newsbreak with the following story:
“The struggling Lawrence (MA) Fire Department will receive a $6.62 million Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant from the United States government that will allow the city to rehire all of its laid-off firefighters and even add new positions.
The grant, which will be paid over two years, will allow Lawrence to rehire the 23 firefighters laid off since June and to employ 15 more to replace those who have retired recently or have left on disability, according to a report in the Boston Globe.”
The report explained that this was a federal grant issued by the Department of Homeland Security. Homeland Security!
It seems foolish and short-sighted to throw federal tax money at such a purely local problem. The Lawrence city fathers had apparently acted in a fiscally responsible manner in attempting to live within their budget by reducing expenses and personnel. The Feds, however, aren’t afflicted with the same conscience about living within budgetary constraints. Homeland Security (which I mistakenly thought had something to do with keeping us safe from terrorists) turned on the spigot and came to the rescue with resources not only to re-hire the laid off workers, but to employ 15 more!
I wonder what will happen in two years when this funding runs out?
And why don’t I feel any safer from terrorists?
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