United we pay, divided we save

Sen.-elect Rand Paul has indicated that gridlock isn't necessarily a bad thing, pointing out that debate is healthy and a divided government is less likely to spend money.

As it turns out, Paul is on to something.

A recent study by the Mercatus Center at George Mason University shows that on average, divided government increases spending by 2.55 percent, while government with one party in control increases spending by 4.67 percent.

That is big news for taxpayers, especially since the Kentucky Legislature and U.S. Congress will both be divided for the next term.

"Divided we stand, united we fall," Thomas Jefferson once said.

Those who loathe the prospect of a divided government and gridlock should remember that our founding fathers supported the idea of divided government as part of the American checks and balances system.