Life Without Callahan
Without career politicians, life itself would be impossible. Or so they would have us think.
Take the recent _Washington Post_ headline: “N. Va. Area Braces for Life After Callahan.”
The paper is talking about Vincent F. Callahan. He’s been a local rep in the Virginia House of Delegatesfor the last 40 years . . . the first 30 of which, we are told by the Post, he was “idling in the shadows.” The last ten he served as chairman of the powerful House Appropriations Committee.
When he announced his retirement months ago, Callahan wasn’t too shy to tell reporters how doggone important he has been, stating: “The stuff I have done over the years has been unsurpassed for any Northern Virginia legislator in history. I probably delivered more to my region and to the state than anyone else.”
What has he delivered? Huge gobs of tax dollars. My tax dollars.
Did Wolf Trap, a performing arts center, really need the $3.5 million dollars he “inserted . . . in the budget”? They charge for their shows. A lot. Wasn’t this really $3.5 million to subsidize arts for the area’s wealthier folks?
But the folks at Wolf Trap love Callahan. Other special interests, too, have said thanks for sending us other people’s money.
Will we survive without Mr. Callahan? Sure . . . though shucks, our taxes may not go up as fast. But I bet we can find someone to raise our taxes.
Equaling Callahan’s arrogance . . . now that may take some seasoning once in office.
This is Common Sense. I’m Paul Jacob.
