Should Government Clear Snow Covered Roads?

Taking my better half to work this morning I had the chance to listen to the local talk show hosts debate the significance of the local government taking on the responsibility of clearing and plowing roads after a snow storm. 

Many people participated by calling in and talking about how the government needed to clear the roads to make it safe for people to go to work.  Others were less interested and didn't even call.  The hosts had an "expert" on saying that the costs of providing for funds to take care of the problem outweighed the disadvantages of not providing funds for the service.  He gave as an explanation that there were soft costs that needed to weighed such as costs of schools having to heat empty buildings, additional labor for all government buildings added to maintain services, costs to businesses, etc.   This was against the hard cost of just providing for more snow plows, salt and sand.  To sum it up, by spending more money on these things, we get as a service, quicker snow plowing and ultimately safer roads.

This is exactly the group think that creates expanding government budgets.  The snow in  my area was 5 inches to 10 inches.  The temperature is expected to be in the 40's today and the rest of the week.  So what is really saved?  Is it worth the cost of your vehicle or life to go to work pushing papers?  Do we really need to make sure all the restaurants are open?  Can't we feed ourselves for one or two days?  I believe that the majority of people would say it is not worth the risk to go to work with half plowed roads and ice.  I think that most people would like to have their taxes reduced.

We as a nation cannot continue to complain and moan about taxes and the direction our country is headed unless we understand that everything that we ask our government to do, or to provide costs more than if we find the solution ourselves!  So, I can drive on snow thank you, and if I can't I won't.  NO Government help needed!