What do you do if you’ve got some big money burning a hole in your pocket? Chances are, you pay the bills.

In the case of Governor George Pataki, he’d prefer to pay the Bills, except his Bills are quite unlike your bills. His Bills are none other than the Buffalo Bills. The money burning a hole in his pocket is something quite different, too: He has $20 million he’s just dying to give away.

In some sort of swan song Pataki will give this sizable chunk of change to the Bills just prior to leaving office at the end of this year. The money will go towards improvements of Ralph Wilson Stadium. Supposedly, Pataki is not doing this at the request of the Bills and took it upon himself to be benevolent towards them.

This giveaway - which is corporate welfare at its absolute worst - brings to mind numerous disconnects between "paying the bills" and "paying the Bills." When we as average consumers come into extra money we tend to remain frugal. We pay our bills and debts first, maybe spend a little as discretionary income, and then save the rest. When Pataki and Albany, on the other hand, find themselves with extra cash they choose not to pay outstanding debt, spend all of the money rather indiscriminately, and save nothing.

The $20 million could have been wisely spent on paying meaningful bills. After all, New York has a lot of them: Our total debt is an astronomical $228 billion. But, chances are, there exists a blasé attitude about the debt because thousands of little nuggets exactly like this Bills’ gift got us in this mess and there are many more to come. Such giveaways are key components of political control. By subduing voters with presents like bike paths, sports stadiums, and other fluff, the powers-that-be maintain their positions in power by using the very money they took from you to lessen the impact of their fiscal indiscretions.

This proves there’s actually no need to spend the money. But, if Albany was so compelled to spend $20 million it could be so better spent elsewhere in the Buffalo Bills’ market area. Look at the countless manufacturers (like Delphi and American Axle) who have cut jobs or have lost work to other states and countries because of the high cost of doing business in NY. This $20 million could be split into countless machinery, R & D or training grants that would lessen the burden placed upon those manufacturers.

Better yet, don’t spend the money at all. Stop this and similar giveaways. Save the money and cut taxes, make those companies desirous of keeping jobs in WNY, because in the whole scheme of things, their impact on the economy is real and tangible.

The Bills, though - who we already wasted $63 million on back in 1997 - represent a poor investment in the vitality of the area economy. The economy would not miss the Bills were they gone. There are only 8 home games a year, employing very few seasonal workers. Most of the salary money is spent on overpaid athletes who do not consistently spend or live full-time in the area. The Bills are so unlike the aforementioned manufacturers and their brethren who employ thousands of people who work every day, all year long, living and spending in WNY.

The problem with this whole mess and its lack of priorities is, despite all of the drawbacks and "what ifs", who will be offended by the $20 million gift? Unfortunately, probably not too many people. Most people will instead be tickled pink. Far too many Western New Yorkers put an unwarranted importance on the Buffalo Bills and will accept the gift with open arms, thinking that it will keep their beloved Bills in Orchard Park.

This highly effective brainwashing trick being used by Albany is exactly why wasted taxes and political control are here for the long haul. Most people could care less about things that truly matter when their frivolous pursuits are buoyed by those they put into power. Therefore, your hard-earned tax money will continue to be spent indiscriminately and without reason as long as your friends and families fail to see through the smokescreen.

Think about that insanity while you’re struggling trying to pay some REAL bills.