Kerry Landon-Lane: Fight with cudgels

Connecticut is blessed with much talent and wealth, but these days finds itself in the doldrums. This need not be. Maybe we have become victims of our own malcontent, fallen into a muddy rut from which we have chosen to slug it out.

Goya’s “Fight with Cudgels” is a current picture. A stalemate, waste of energy and subjects doomed should they persist. Maybe let’s check-in the baggage, pocket the key for a later time and reality. The past promises to state employees are not going to change anytime soon. Leave them for a later date when a better chance of changing that situation occurs. Unencumbered with our manageable carry-on we may enjoy agility and focus. The most useful and valuable tool in our carry-on is imagination. Imagination to take off and fly high. We can fly high over the federal farce and design our own solutions. Why? Because the solutions are there! They abound!

We can focus on the revenue side of things. Here are a few simple things we can do.

Whack in the tolls! This is a no-brainer and objections are party baggage. Place the new hands-free tolls on all the major highways with the understanding that those who use the roads pay for them. Same as you pay for Netflix and your hideous electricity bill. And certainly a user fee is preferable to an additional tax.

The toll charges must be broad based with no exception or discounts for Connecticut residents, elderly, physically impaired or those with more political muscle. Also, across the state and no special border treatments. The only adjustment that may make sense is differential pricing between peak and off-peak times to spread the load on the roads. An independent analysis could determine the value of this and the differential. Certainly all stand to benefit over the longer term by saving time and cost through more efficient traveling.

Much has changed since the old “turnpike” ordeal and we may delight in the technological sophistication of a modern system. Wow! Marvelous and I do not need to slow down. Forget increasing the gas tax as that is a proven diminishing return and a tire tax is silly poof that we don’t need. Both of these bags are not for the check-in. Instead jettisoned.

Marijuana! Make it legal! Treat it like alcohol and viewing from this perspective should provide most answers to concerns. Age criteria and driving same as alcohol. By bringing its use, supply and production into the pale, Connecticut would benefit from getting a grip on this trade as well as reaping lots of good easy tax revenue. Many current criminals would fall into the legitimate fold and relieve us of the cost and headache of policing, jury duty and visiting loved ones or relatives in the clink. It is such a no-brainer.

Gaining control and influence over a flourishing outlaw business is preferable to the current Connecticut muddy rut status where there are only losers.

Traveling light with spring in our heels we could introduce new growth to Connecticut. The new growth meaning people. Import new people with fresh ways and ideas. We should begin by inviting 100,000 Syrian refugees to come and live in Connecticut. Actually, they do not have to be Syrian or 100,000 (could be Rohingya and 1 million). It is an added bonus that in our self- interest we also help those in need.

The longer-term rewards would include less fear of those we don’t know, a more secure USA and world, increased competition in our schools, work place and industry, new diversity of religion, new diversity of food in restaurants and great new ethnic neighborhoods.

Let’s make America great again after this very ugly turn we have recently taken. The short term would cost us effort, time, management, money, imagination and perhaps a little anxiety but we can muster all those ingredients and make a wonderful cake for us all to enjoy and share with others. Connecticut would float out of the mud with washed-off character, new vitality and solid ground to stand on. The leadership of the federal government has flunked and Connecticut does not have to settle for the same score.

Should Connecticut people find imagination, invention and a can-do head, they can accomplish much. We can fashion likable solutions that will don happier Connecticut faces for everyone to enjoy. Fight with Cudgens becomes again a painting on the Connecticut wall — a reminder of what we used to be instead of our forward experience.