In just a few hours “The One” will take the stage of Dobson High School to pass on to the masses another shovel full of….hope. Hope that this stimulus package will do more than stimulate the federal deficit and have a snowball’s chance of actually helping the economy. Hope that the good folks in attendance, who spent more than one night outdoors suffering a Valley of the Sun cold winter’s night, will actually believe this will help the housing disaster. He certainly believes he will heal the ills and be a salve to the wounds of the masses with his words and intentions alone.

He chose Denver for the signing because of the “green” emphasis of programs. He chose Mesa to explain it all because of the heavy impact of the housing crisis in that community. (With so many foreclosures nationwide, how did he choose Mesa? Throw a dart at the map and see where it landed?) The budget shortfalls are being affected already by his actions…but they are going in the wrong direction. The cost of this personal political campaign, and do not be deceived it is a campaign, is on our dime. We will pay locally for the sprucing up of Dobson High to the police presence…all to tout his bill and protect his approval rating.

These are not normal times. These are not the days of flush budgets. The cost and legitimacy of this trip cannot be compared to the visits of past presidents, not when lay-offs are happening and salaries are being cut by the political subdivisons forced to support this event. How will they make up for this unexpected expense?