Change is Possible in Times of Crisis

Change is Possible in Times of Crisis

Rhode Island is facing a significant short fall in it 2009 Budget. It is time for all vested interests to recognize that that their interests are sub-ordinate to our collective interests.

Governor Cacieri fireside chat on January 7th outlines the problem and proposed solutions.




My feels are that this is long overdue.

Rhode Island has been a leader for liberal ideals but Rhode Islanders have been very conservative in their willingness to take the long term steps to implement those ideals. The Legislature and their constituents are unwilling to give up their own privileges to achieve their alleged ideals. instead they find have spent the past quarter century squandering the state's resources for a quick fix.

If the public can not come to some agreement to make the necessary sacrifices then there maybe another alternative, Option 2

There are certain advantages for all parties if Rhode Island were to unincorporated, and split into two separate units, east and west. These units would be free to unite with their respective neighboring state. Among the reasons

· Economies of scale arising from a county system of government.

· The geographical benefits that would come from adding coastline to each of the neighbors, bringing the Taunton River Watershed under a single jurisdiction.

· Western Rhode Island shares a strong economic interest with Eastern Connecticut, while Eastern Rhode Island shares interests with Southeastern Massachusetts.

Of course, there is a downside such as the loose of 2 Senatorial seats in the U S Congress. This might be offset by stronger Congressional representation in the House.

The real issue is what do the people of Rhode Island do if their insistence on 19^th century local government causes the State which makes that structure possible goes bankrupt?

CRISIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX. This is what the lively experiment is all about!