Michael Blowhard writes:

Dear Blowhards --

When a politician develops a hobbyhorse, watch out. New York's disgraceful governor George Pataki is determined to turn the Albany region into thriving technology hub, and it seems that nothing -- especially expense -- is going to get in his way. The New York Times' Michael Cooper reports that plans for a new microchip project have been announced, helped along by what's expected to be $180 million in state aid. How do residents of Troy, Syracuse and Rochester feel about state tax-money going to help out the Albany region?

Cooper also reports that the Governor has already spent $535 million in state funds to encourage projects at a project called Albany Nanotech. The yield in jobs so far? 645 new ones. Now, my arithmatic can be mighty shakey, but that looks to me like it works out to something like almost a million dollars for each job created.

Say, I have a thought. Instead of doing things so circuitously, why not just create an annual $535 million lottery? Take the money from taxpayers, then distribute it equally among 645 lucky residents.

Best,

Michael