The American Revolution started here in Massachusetts. In 1972 every state voted for Richard Nixon for president - except Massachusetts. Until recently, gay marriage was against the law in every state - except Massachusetts.

The Bay State has long been an independent voice in America, and seldom do we just go along with the crowd. While we rightfully cherish our independent streak, there is one area where the commonwealth needs to finally join its fellow states.

Massachusetts needs to allow flagmen on road details.

This hardly carries the social importance of the events listed above, but the impact it would have is no small matter. Flagmen on road details would save both consumers and taxpayers millions of dollars annually, with little to no impact on safety.

If that is true, you ask, why hasn't the state gone to flagmen already? Why are we the one state out of 50 to outlaw this cost-saving practice? The answer is simple. Our politicians have not had the will, the guts or the desire to stand up to the powerful police and public safety lobbies and make the switch. They would rather count the votes they might lose than the money we would save by making this common sense move.

Flagmen are trained civilians who are empowered to stop and start traffic around construction or other projects. They possess no police powers. While police officers can make anywhere from $30/$100 per hour on details, flagmen make roughly $10/$20 per hour depending on the locale.

Road details are a cash cow for police officers. In many communities, officers make more money on road details than they do in base salary. Their unions protect these highly-prized details above almost all other benefits.

The amount paid for road details vary from town to town. Some have one rate for municipal work, and another for outside details such as utility companies or private construction firms. In many communities, the company paying has no idea of what their costs are until they get the bill.

Police unions will tell you officers are required at these sites. They claim the presence of police on details make traffic flow better and more safely, and that officers are better able to handle whatever may unexpectedly arise during a traffic experience.

Inevitably they will cite an incident where officers or civilians were injured as proof of the dangers posed by construction projects. No doubt some details will always require police presence. But despite claims of safety concerns, there is only one real reason why flagmen are still not allowed here - money.

The other 49 states have proven this system works. There has been no rash of traffic deaths across the country due to flagmen. While police officers are certainly more highly trained and skilled, you have to question if there is a big difference in their ability to simply direct traffic.

Some unions will take less of a raise for an increase in the detail rate. The towns figure that is a savings, because the detail pay does not come out of the town budget but rather from the pockets of the companies hiring them.

But who eventually pays for that cost? We do - the consumers.

Police officers work hard for their detail money. It is not handed to them for nothing. Standing outside in 100 degree heat near melting asphalt for six hours is hardly a day at the beach. But for taxpayers and consumers to pay many times what is necessary to make sure traffic flows efficiently is ridiculous.

Back in March Gov. Patrick said he would lead the effort to allow flagmen in Massachusetts. But after he was told the political facts of life by the unions and lobbyists, he backed off faster than a Laker trying to guard Ray Allen.

There is something to be said for independence. But in this case, all Massachusetts is demonstrating is political corruption and a lack of leadership on the part of those in power. It is time we did the sensible thing for citizens.

When it comes to flagmen, it is time Massachusetts joined the Union.

BILL GOUVEIA is a local columnist and longtime town official. He can be read on these pages every Saturday, and can be reached at aninsidelook@aol.com.