Sloulin Field International Airport: A Conservative's Take on Wasteful Spending

Imagine a small town in North Dakota, Williston to be exact, where the local government decided to embark on a multi-million dollar project to replace an airport that was perfectly functional. That's right, Sloulin Field International Airport, which served the community for decades, was shut down in 2019 to make way for the new Williston Basin International Airport. The decision to close Sloulin Field and build a new airport was made in 2011, with the new facility opening in October 2019. The reason? Allegedly, the old airport couldn't handle the increased traffic from the oil boom. But let's be real, was this massive expenditure truly necessary, or just another example of government waste?

First off, let's talk about the cost. The new Williston Basin International Airport came with a hefty price tag of $273 million. That's a staggering amount of taxpayer money for a town with a population of just over 30,000 people. The justification was that the old airport couldn't accommodate larger planes and the increased number of passengers due to the oil industry. But here's the kicker: the oil boom has since slowed down, and the demand for flights has decreased. So, was this investment really worth it, or was it just a case of poor planning and overestimation?

Now, let's consider the environmental impact. The construction of a new airport is no small feat. It involves clearing large areas of land, disrupting local ecosystems, and contributing to pollution. All this for an airport that, let's face it, might not even be necessary in the long run. The old Sloulin Field International Airport could have been upgraded or expanded at a fraction of the cost and environmental impact. But no, the powers that be decided to go all out, disregarding the potential consequences.

And what about the local economy? Sure, the construction of the new airport created jobs, but these were temporary. Once the airport was completed, those jobs disappeared. Meanwhile, the businesses that relied on the old airport's location had to either relocate or shut down. The new airport is located further from the town center, making it less convenient for travelers and potentially deterring visitors. So much for boosting the local economy.

Let's not forget the issue of government overreach. The decision to build a new airport was made by a select few, without truly considering the needs and opinions of the local community. This top-down approach is a classic example of how government can overstep its bounds, imposing costly projects on taxpayers without their consent. It's a reminder of the importance of accountability and transparency in government spending.

Finally, there's the question of priorities. With so many pressing issues facing our country, is building a new airport in a small town really the best use of resources? There are countless other areas where this money could have been better spent, such as improving infrastructure, education, or healthcare. Instead, it was funneled into a project that may not even be necessary in the long term.

In the end, the saga of Sloulin Field International Airport is a cautionary tale of government waste and mismanagement. It's a reminder that not every problem requires a big, expensive solution, and that sometimes, the best course of action is to work with what you already have. The decision to replace Sloulin Field with a new airport was a costly mistake, one that taxpayers will be paying for years to come.