Making it too easy: A trip to China? Really?

It is hard to read about the decisions being made in Raleigh right now without wondering if someone, anyone up there ever really talks to the people they are supposed to be serving.

The latest "can you believe that" comes from the governor's office.

Is it a comprehensive plan for developing a plan to cut back on government spending and to reduce the tax burden on North Carolina residents?

Is it a blue ribbon commission designed specifically to figure out what we need to do to improve schools?

Nope.

Gov. Bev Perdue is off for a two-week trip to China and Japan to touch base with the North Carolina companies based there and to meet with government leaders about investing here.

That's right, right now, after announcing a $4.6 billion deficit in the state budget.

Couldn't this have waited?

Encouraging companies overseas to consider investing in and trading with North Carolina vendors is a great idea. We can use all the help we can get in keeping as many jobs as possible within our borders.

But when you have just hit your residents with a huge bill and increased their taxes to pay for it -- perhaps the way to foster such relations is with a much cheaper telephone call.

It is this sort of poor timing that makes many North Carolina residents wonder if there is really anyone in Raleigh who listens to the people.

If they did, they would know that the last thing the citizens want to pay for is another political junket.

Published in Editorials on September 3, 2009 10:32 AM