Gridlock is Good
Reason magazine reports congress is on track to beat its record for fewest laws passed in one year. I'll never understand how some would consider that a bad thing. So many get upset because congress didn't get things done. The less laws the better. Gridlock is good.
"Given the low level of competence among politicians, every American should become a libertarian. The government that governs the least is certainly the best choice when fools, opportunists and grafters run it. When power is for sale, government power should be severely limited. When power is abused, the less power the better."- Charley Reese
posted by Fred Mangels @ 9:58 AM
9 comments
9 Comments:
Reminds me of the U.Utah Phillips quote about his thinking about running for President: "I promise that if elected I will just hang out, shoot pool, scratch my ass and not do a damn thing. When people want to do things the country is in trouble."
Exactly Fred. Couldn't disagree more. Conservatives agree with you too, but I don't know if they admit to it. This principle can be categorized with the no-incumbant movement filibuster, etc as the cog-in-government ideology. Welcome to Reagan's America. You and your allies (conservatives and Republicans) have been extraordinarily successful at the job of simply making government difficult to work (outside of the military, intelligence, etc). It's not just Libertarians who want this, it's also private industry. It's one of the single biggest tragedies of my lifetime and I'm sorry it's taken me this long to add my voice against such really...defeatist governing philosophies.
If you can't outright say you don't want government to work, just slow down the functioning of government to a stall.
Besides lowering taxes, the most effective rallying cry to those right of center (yes you too)is no big government. It's very effective politics and the only result has been a more in debt dumber government because up to now the Republicans haven't been able to cut Government significantly, just taxes.
Which may be really the ultimate goal which I think you would savor - drowning government in the bathtub.
Another very interesting article by Edsall at the NYT. You may be interested. He's my new favorite political columnist after Nate Silver left us for sportier pastures.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/04/opinion/edsall-the-center-cannot-hold.html?ref=opinion&_r=0
And it shows just how big government you are, Jon. They passed all sorts of laws already this year. Just not enough to please you. You actually seem to think they "cut" government because they didn't grow it enough.
We got some through the hoops back when we had 3 branches. Unfortunately we do need one party rule right now as the Republicans really do believe in drowning that baby in the bath tub. I used "Big Government" to accurately describe the R's and L's language. I wouldn't say I am for big government, I'm for smart government including a balanced budget and no debt. Imagine where we would be with the deficit if Gore had been elected. I'm serious, think about it. Not tax cuts and no war in Iraq - probably a war in Afganistan - (I'll assume 9/11 would have happened for this discussion)
And - I'll be honest, I've lost my edge on what's going on Nationally. I've been so focused locally since June.
You can't keep blaming everything on Bush.
The debt ceiling has been increased to astronomical levels under Obama. He's increased spending beyond Bush levels. Thousands of new laws have been implemented at the state, local and federal levels by both Democrats and Republicans, even in this last year when you claim government has been cut. You should be in seventh heaven, yet that's not enough for you.
That's the first time I have mentioned Bush. It's not about whether or not there is spending. It's about whether or not we are being effective. I believe government can be effective - it helps when we have people leading it who actually believe in it.
But seriously, check out that article, he is not an easy read, but it's interesting from what I read and I'd love to hear your opinion. I don't think it's particualarly partisan - I think it's trying to describe politics generally. They try to go beyond left and right and add populist (think white men who believe in Social Security) and Libertarian and Centrist. I haven't finished it yet, so I don't know what the conclusions are, but I think many of the links might be interesting.
Just thought you might enjoy it.
"Thousands of new laws have been implemented at the state, local and federal levels..."
The big one is going to be the Mark of the Beast and almost everyone is going to be on board for that one. National Sunday Law http://www.reg6.com/
John are you a paid government shrill? if not you should look into it might as well be paid for what you do the best...
good point a. Very good point. What makes me nervous is if I do ever get a county job, your argument will seem legit.
I believe in government not for personal benefit - except in the sense I believe it is the our best chance to fight for common goals. Private interests are necessarily private - myopic profits are the first concern - and that is not a bad thing. We do need government or public institutions to make sure that private organizations are doing the right thing overall - ie including their externalities in the cost of doing business. It's complicated, so when you say things like that you make a very good argument that is difficult to rebut - especially if I do get a government job.
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