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Is this the beginning of fiscal responsibility

G

Greegor

Jan 1, 1970
0
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Monument_Syndrome

Washington Monument SyndromeFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaJump
to: navigation, search The Washington Monument syndrome, also known as
the Mount Rushmore Syndrome,[1] or the firemen first principle,[2][3]
is a political tactic used in the United States by government agencies
when faced with budget cuts. The tactic entails cutting the most
visible or appreciated service provided by the government, from
popular services such as national parks and libraries[1] to valued
public employees such as teachers and firefighters.[2] The name
derives from the National Park Service's alleged habit of saying that
any cuts would lead to an immediate closure of the wildly popular
Washington Monument.[4] Critics compare the tactic to hostage taking
or blackmail.[5]

Although the strategy usually intends to highlight the government's
value to voters, it can also be aimed at lawmakers themselves. Faced
with budget cuts in the 1970s, Amtrak announced plans to cease train
routes in the home districts of several members of Congress.[2]

The term was first used after George Hartzog, the seventh director of
the National Park Service, closed popular national parks such as the
Washington Monument and Grand Canyon National Park for two days a week
in 1969. In response to complaints, Congress fired Hartzog and
restored the funding.[6][dead link]

[edit] References1.^ a b Ferrell, David (30 April 2008). "Library Book
Liberation Front: Don't Tax Library Books". LA Weekly.
http://www.laweekly.com/news/news/library-book-liberation-front-dont-tax-library-books/18796/
.. Retrieved 9 May 2008.
2.^ a b c Peters, Charles (March 1976). "The Firemen First Principle".
Washington Monthly.
http://www.unz.org/Pub/WashingtonMonthly-1976mar-00008?View=PDFPages
.. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
3.^ Fallows, James (18 February 2013). "The Nightmare of Sequestration
Hits Home". The Atlantic.
http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2013/02/the-nightmare-of-sequestration-hits-home/273260/
.. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
4.^ Gardner, John S. (12 April 2006). "Condomania". National Review.
http://www.nationalreview.com/comment/gardner200604120721.asp
.. Retrieved 9 May 2008.
5.^ Cox, Wendell (25 June 2002). "Blackmail Strategy". National
Review.
http://www.nationalreview.com/comment/comment-cox062502.asp
.. Retrieved 9 May 2008.
6.^
http://www.allbusiness.com/media-telecommunications/information-services-libraries/12300846-1.html
Retrieved from "
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Washington_Monument_Syndrome&oldid=540248259
"
Categories: Political terminology of the United States
 
J

josephkk

Jan 1, 1970
0
Easy there...he's kidding (hence the smiley). We all know it
increases GDP--that's why GDP's a sad measure.

It makes sense that less-than-mortally-wounded cities will bounce back
vigorously, with the advantage (after rebuilding) of being
modernized. Their subsequent ascent might be steep.

Our economic cycles do that too, purging dot.coms, stimugreen dreams,
etc., putting their tasty test equipment on eBay (where it belongs).
But, wrecking your own good stuff usually isn't smart. E.g. cash-for-
clunkers, and other broken window schemes.
 
J

josephkk

Jan 1, 1970
0
Easy there...he's kidding (hence the smiley). We all know it
increases GDP--that's why GDP's a sad measure.

I saw it. I do not want it taken out of context, this is Usenet.
 
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