A reader, Dr. Michael Edelstein, asked me, "How can we stop government from getting ever bigger?"
My answer: Only time can do it. Society's thought-control mechanisms (the schools, colleges, and media) have thoroughly convinced the public that big government is good.
And under the perfect storm of big-government advocacy--Obama, a more liberal congress, colleges, and media--government will grow well beyond its already morbidly obese and ineffectual size.
When will the electorate come to believe that small government is a wiser path? Only if and when the government has to print so much money to pay for itself that the dollar is worth pennies, when our tax rates are so high that many more people choose not to work, and when our quality of life diminishes enough despite (or perhaps because of) the ever more bloated government redistributive "justice" programs. I'm guessing that is likely to occur in 10 to 20 years.
Until then, when it's inevitable, you might as well lie back and enjoy it: the continuing parade of bailouts (autos, mortgage holders, credit card holders, steel, and agriculture are likely next in line for government handouts,) massive spending on sloppy-seconds projects that the private sector deemed unworthy (e.g., Obama's $150 billion on alternative energy,) and more mammoth government programs that, at best, are likely to be inefficient uses of taxpayer dollars and, at worst, outright boondoggles.
I believe this is a good time for to remember The Serenity Prayer: Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
Our current situation is not painful enough. There are people going through hard times right now, but most of us are still too comfortable.
ReplyDeleteAmerica has a lot of different groups of people, but if there is one thing we have in common, it's complaining. I don't know of many people who are satisfied with the way things are now. Yet, for all their complaining, life really isn't that bad for the average American.
If the time comes when a very large segment of the population faces homelessness, or struggles with feeding a family, or finding work, and the only people that seem to be doing well are the political elite, then the public might think a smaller government is better. Perhaps, by that time, we can still create one. My guess is that we probably can't.
There are still people from other countries that come here in droves and risk everything to do so. When the life of the average American is as painful and as desperate as that, then maybe government will change.
Marty,
ReplyDeleteIf and when it bursts, the spinmeisters will blame it on capitalism, as they are now. This may lead to an even more repressive regime than we have currently.
A Ron Paul 2012 candidacy soon after this election is needed to educate the masses on the predations of Big Government.
Dr. Michael R. Edelstein
www.ThreeMinuteTherapy.com