Businessweek announced the top 10 towns to be seriously affected by the credit crises on Wall Street. Not surprisingly, Darien, CT tops the list, with Wethersfield at number nine, the latter due to its heavy reliance on real estate values to sustain its economy.

This past week, House and Senate Republicans held an informative hearing on the coming hit to the state’s finances. In what could be termed historic, the Office of Policy and Management and the Office of Fiscal Analysis actually agreed on immediate deficit number - $300 million. That is merely a prelude to bigger deficits to come - if we continue to reelect Democrats to the State Capitol. Democrats can barely wait untl January when they can unroll their “Tax Fairness Act” seeking to soak what is left of the taxpaying public and those who create wealth and prosperity.

Republicans, on the other hand, have properly drawn the line and said taxes are off the table - period. To paraphrase the late  Paul Newman, “what we have here is a failure to stop spending.”

The day before, seeking to grab the spotlight, the Jim and Don Show held a press conference where they should Outstanding Leadership in a Supporting Role, by calling for an audit of the Department of Social Services. No, we are not kidding. Turns out this audit will be done by the non-partial Office of State Comptroller Nancy Wyman for at least $100,000. But the real impartial Office of State Auditor just completed an audit of DSS six months ago. Copies are available for free.

“We cannot audit our way of this,” said Senate Republican Leader John McKinney. Amen.