Government grants: They are not free money

Tuesday, June 26, 2007, I wrote here about local recipients of crop and conservation subsidies. It occurs to me now that I stopped writing too soon.

I may have unintentionally made it seem that these folks were doing something wrong in their role as beneficiaries of government giveaways. They were not.

I need to mention that I have received a grant from the Newark Department of Community Development for lead abatement purposes a few years ago. And if I get a chance at another government grant, likely I'll take it. Because of that grant, a home in Newark has become safer, more comfortable and more attractive.

But I am against government grants as a matter of principle. Government should not take citizens' tax money and then "give" it to individuals or businesses.

Government makes its grants appear to be "free," but they are another tax-and-spend system, generally without the oversight or knowledge of the public.