Gunpowder Chronicle posted on August 22, 2008 8:55 PM | Rating:
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If the Bootlicker Sun, official press outlet for the Emerald Emperor, is gong to carry O'Guvnah's water, they need to be a little more subtle about it. They're article "Audit Seen as Threat to Medevac Overhaul" was a clear political puff piece written by someone in the Schaefer Building and handed over to Gadi Dechter at the Bootlicker.
If anything, this audit will be used by the Emerald Emperor to justify a costly upgrade and overhaul of the state's Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) and the Aviation Division of the Maryland State Police.
Just as we are about to head into the fall, when Senate President Mike "ManPerm" Miller wants to launch hearings into the budget, and the unconstitutional slots referendum looks like it might collapse, we get this surprise audit released to the Bootlicker Sun which paints a dire picture of a poorly run unit. A unit that was expecting an equipment overhaul and upgrade.
A unit that Marylanders are understandly proud of, rely heavily on, and have no problem forking over hard-earned tax dollars for. In fact, you might argue that the Aviation Division -- because of its obligations as the state's airborne medevac service -- is one of the only forms of middle class welfare in Maryland. Very few inner city poor people get flown to hospitals, after all.
And that is why I think it is a setup. Liberals love to play the "government services" card when the budget is tough, and they always pick the items to highlight and cut that will cost the most pain. O'Guvnah is going to use this audit to push for higher taxes AND the unconstitutional slots referendum.
And anyone who opposes that will be labeled as uncaring, thoughtless, and unconcerned.
How do I know this? Well, have you ever noticed how there are far more Medevac flights during the General Assembly than not? Anyone who listens to a scanner knows that the Trooper Flights are always on the ball during the Worst 90 Days of the Year (when the General Assembly is in Session). They've even been known to pick up patients who would have arrived at the hospital faster via ground transportation.
All this despite the fact that most of the pilots in the Aviation Division aren't instrument rated, which means they are grounded during many night and foul-weather operations-- despite the fact that the Dauphin was purchased because it was both night and foul-weather capable!
Gadi Dechter got rolled. There is no other simple explanation. The audit was out there, and it was a convenient setup for the Emerald Emperor to play his hand for greater spending, more taxes, and an unconstitutional slots referendum.