It’s too easy to sit back and take shots at government. It’s a huge target and – whether one looks at the city, county, state or federal level – there are plenty of opportunities to find fault.
Particularly during these days of shrinking revenues and always-growing demands, those who make the tough decisions are often in a no-win position. They’re asked to do more with less and there is always a tough call to make.
That being said, it’s impossible to ignore the decision by King County government to whack 100 percent of its funding from the 4-H kids and their programs who have depended upon a seemingly slight budgetary allocation.
According to the statewide director who keeps tabs on such things, King County provided $100,000 in its 2010 budget to help support 4-H programs throughout the county. That contribution was chopped in half for 2011 and has now been eliminated entirely.
This is a good time to note that just the opposite has occurred in Pierce County, where 4-H has been supported.
Any sane, taxpaying citizen appreciates any governmental effort to save precious dollars and cents, but at what expense? Throughout the country – and certainly in King County, where dozens of individual clubs bring out the best in youth – 4-H has evolved with the times and continues to challenge kids to be their best.
As a society, we’re better off when kids are raising livestock, rather than playing video games. But there’s so much more. As part of its evolution, 4-H members are challenged to step up in areas like citizenship, healthy living, science, engineering and technology programs.
In the interest of full disclosure, I’m entirely biased. I was raised in a typical neighborhood, in a family where our closest contact with livestock was the roast in the oven. But in adult years, I’ve had the opportunity to raise a couple of hogs and tend a herd of goats.
I know I’m a better, more-rounded person for the experience. And, truth be told, I’d rather wander through a field of Nubian goats than interview most political leaders.
America’s youngsters receive a valuable education through 4-H, learning the core values that create responsible adults.
The 4-H motto is “To make the best better.”
In deciding to eliminate funding, King County has failed to help accomplish that mission.
