I think I am like most people in that I would like our Federal government to work. Work efficiently, honestly and competently would be nice for everyone. We all pay taxes. Yes, even the poorest of us pay taxes. They might not be income taxes, but there are other taxes we all pay.
The idea that less government is the answer is, in my opinion, one of the most overrated ideas to ever come down the pike. Just stop for a few seconds and think about all the services that we depend upon that are more practical to have government providing the service. Let's take the Fire Department. Does anyone believe that having multiple private Fire Departments competing to put out a fire would be a good idea? How about multiple private Police Departments? Should we have that too?
The role of government is ever changing as our country changes, and it should be everyone's political philosophy to want those services where we do not need private business competing to provide the service, to want government to do the job right. Those are the operative words - doing the job right.
If the Congress and the President do not want a piece of the government to work efficiently, honestly and competently, they can cut its funding, reduce its personnel and basically convey that the services a given department provides is not important. That is my opinion what has happened to too many departments and agencies of the Federal Government.
This oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is not a natural disaster. This oil spill is the result of a Federal Department that has gotten too close to the people they are suppose to monitor and regulate. But, I think, it is important to reexamine the idea that less government is better. Would more oil spills by the oil companies and drilling companies make our lives better?
It is time for people start to thinking about the need for effective and honest regulation. Government is not the problem. The Federal Government should be the vehicle by which we protect our lands and waters.
Stay tuned.
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1 comment:
Less government? No MY mantra. Efficient government, maybe - or streamlined government, maybe - but not government replaced by privatization, because the bottom line is that the services STILL must be provided and paid for and privatization reduces accountability. Just Remember Katrina.
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