[elbucko]

Between 20 and 50 of California's rural hospitals are in grave financial danger........ That means the loss of a significant number of jobs and income to the hospital's town and a significant drop in property values.

Your example makes it sound as if the purpose of rural hospitals should be to support local jobs and property values. While I don't deny that rural Californians need hospitals, a hospitals purpose is for health care and not to economically sustain a rural town and its "property values".

Your example, though well meant, is an example of the "Mission Creep" that government spending and local politicians tend to encourage. Perhaps a clinic will do, that is satellite to a larger facility.

[liberallarry]

Perhaps a clinic will do, that is satellite to a larger facility

Even medically, there is no simple answer. Small isolated communities are difficult to serve well...as are the major highways which may pass through them.

Your example makes it sound as if the purpose of rural hospitals should be to support local jobs and property values

I was just describing reality...and it's a reality not limited to small towns or government. Any community is going to feel the loss of a major employer or industry. Why do you think it's so difficult to close military bases? Why is there so much pain when Ford, or General Electric, or Microsoft closes a major plant?

[liberallarry]

Keep in mind my original point...which was that McClintock's portrayal of a relatively painless 15% cut in state expenditures would translate into a much larger, catastrophic cut for many individuals and communities.