This screwworm shit is not funny! Another rant from an angry Texan!!!!

[pat_k]

27. An early consequence of criminal impoundments and maga murder budget cuts.

We will see many many many more and varied problems in years hence. On many fronts, even if programs are restored, periods without preventative measures often snowball into incredibly costly and destructive problems.

It brings to mind the case of Reagan and rat infestations. As governor, Reagan cut rodent control programs. As president, he cut federal funds for rodent control programs.

Not surprisingly, in the years after he left the governor's office infestations of rats rapidly grew where I lived in Los Angeles. But it was not until giant norway rats started regularly appearing in toilets and pools in Beverly Hills (and the Uber rich got up in arms about it) that reporting (some) made the connection with the stupidity of the cuts in the 70's under Reagan and 80's (as I recall, Deukmejian made additional cuts in rodent control in response to federal cuts).

Needless to say, the costs of trying to get populations back under control was something like 100x what the original cuts "saved."

And the costs are still mounting. I moved a long time ago, but I don't think they've been able to bring populations under control for people who live in less affluent areas than Beverly Hills.