Follow the Money!

Democracy is the art and science of running the circus from the monkey cage.
-- H. L. Mencken
----------------------
Economics has been called the 'dismal' science, but in Bellingham, it sure ain't dull!

With Budget Time upon us again, I thought it might be appropriate to launch three, related, multi-part blog topics; some -believe it or not- by popular demand.
I don't know how many parts it will take to cover each subject, or when I will consider them complete.
I suppose these things will just have to work themselves out -either when I run out of material, or get bored.
But, I will try to mix these topics up a bit with other stuff, just for the sake of variety.

[Drum roll] Here they are:
----------------------
The City Budget Process - featuring the Budget Advisory Committee, BIBT and other Human Shields

'Christmas is the time when kids tell Santa what they want and adults pay for it.
Deficits are when adults tell government what they want and their kids pay for it.'
-- Richard Lamm
----------------------
Pork Barrel Heaven - featuring the Living Wage Ordinance - payees & payors

'Economics is extremely useful as a form of employment for economists'
-- John Kenneth Galbraith
---------------------
Economic Development - featuring 'a rising tide LIFTs all boats'

'Some people regard private enterprise as a predatory tiger to be shot.
Others look on it as a cow they can milk.
Not enough people see it as a healthy horse, pulling a sturdy wagon.'
-- Winston Churchill
---------------------
Because of my periodic laziness, and the boring nature of researching my files on these topics, I will forgo the first installment for now.
But, I'll -probably- be back tomorrow.
Probably.