Details and Video at Eleven

Our beloved legislature never fails to amaze. In response to Governor Carcieri’s executive order on illegal aliens, a Full Rhode Island (to quote Projo columnist Bill Reynolds) has broken out. Quickly dominating the local radio talk show circuit, the issue has now produced near riots in the State House itself, dueling legislative packages, and the bizarre sight of Providence Police Chief Esserman going one way, while his rank and file go the other over its enforcement.

But rather than get into the specifics of the pros and cons, we’re more troubled by way it has captured the undivided attention of our lawmakers. Here is something that has proven insolvable on a national level and yet our part-time solons are going to find an answer? Get real! How about devoting their time and attention instead to things that really count… say a looming $500 million deficit!

How about finally taking on the issue of our 39 separate cities and towns for example. Everyone knows it’s the proverbial elephant in the room. But it is a fixable problem… if only we had the political will to do so. Why not once and for all do a Full Rhode Island on this issue? The usual answer is, it’s a waste of time and won’t gain any traction. But neither will debating the illegals issue. The difference is the former, if dealt with creatively, could produce some real and permanent savings.

At some point, our legislators will finally have to deal with simplifying and streamlining local governments. At some point, they will have to deal with the unions picking off local school boards one at a time. At some point they will have to deal with matching spending levels on social services with the increasingly limited resources coming in.

Busloads of single moms, immigrants, unemployed workers at the State House makes for great TV footage. People calling on the elected officials to exercise some common sense, doesn’t. All the pity. Because the clock is ticking and no one seems to hear it because they’re too busy being distracted by the pictures.