Hurry up and wait

Remember the story a while back about the Romanians who rebuilt a bridge in their village because the government wouldn’t do it? (And got in trouble for it.)

I think this dangerous trend of self-reliance is moving to this country.

In Beckley, W.Va., a mysterious repairman fixed a traffic light that had been broken since before Christmas.

That was many weeks ago, but city workers said they didn’t have the know-how and needed more time to order special parts.

Apparently some taxpayer didn’t get the memo that it couldn’t be done.

He went ahead and fixed the light, even though state highway workers were within a few days of finally showing up and tackling the job.

If I’m in government, I want to nip this in the bud.

The last thing I want is people doing something for themselves when they could wait for a public servant (or two) to do it for them.

I’m tellin’ you: First you let them do for themselves, and next they’re going to think for themselves.

No sirree, Bob. Take a number, fill out this form and wait over there.

That’s what built this country, isn’t it?