Highland, Indiana gets $400,000

Ever the vigilant budget hawk, Congressman John Campbell (R-CA), has a post on his Green Eyeshade blog noting that, among other things, Highland Indiana received $400,000 from the Federal Government for all important national priority bike trails. Campbell barrows a graphic from the Heritage Foundation that shows a small sampling of attractions around the nation paid for by taxpayers.

“Provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare.” Some how I can’t imagine the founders actually supporting the idea that bike trails are a good use of federal taxpayer dollars. Using the national public treasury for such projects is a little reminiscent of the Roman custom of appropriating public funds for popular uses. Bike trails are good, but if you’re going to build them use local tax dollars and funds and not national funds.