Every year, special interest groups come to the John A. Wilson Building, cups in hand, begging. One group wants to ensure its programs aren’t cut; another wants to blunt potential tax increases; and still another aggressively advocates for tax hikes. This ritual of spring is rivaled only by District elected officials’ tradition of pandering to such organizations.

Ward 7 D.C. Councilwoman Yvette Alexander promised senior citizens during her public hearing Friday that “There will be no budget cuts to the Office on Aging.” Like her colleagues, she ignores reality: The city faces an $800 million revenue gap for fiscal 2010. If the economy gets worse, that shortfall could expand.