The People's Government

I am outraged each time I hear a talk show host or other extremist try to turn the people against their government. Here in America, the people are the government. It is still a government "of the people, by the people and for the people."

These anti-government pundits use emotional phrases like, "reduce taxes, keep more of your own money," as if the government's money wasn't yours to be used to protect, defend you and provide services for you. The government's money is your money. You decide how that money gets spent. And the government's debt is YOUR debt!

In line with their anti-government philosophy, this administration has been cutting taxes, giving rebates, and restricting government services and regulation. I want to ask the people, "How's that working for you?" You got your taxes cut and even got a rebate several years ago. Meanwhile the price of everything has skyrocketed. There are not enough people to inspect your food supply, to keep leaded toys away from your children, nor to keep your bridges from collapsing. The enormous national debt has seriously shrunk the value of your dollar. You think these things are not all related? Think again.

Anti-government regulation rhetoric is an emotionally charged issue. But think about it rationally and reasonably. Which comes first, the abuse or the regulation? Business has always had the opportunity to regulate itself first. It doesn't! Most regulations have been enacted AFTER the abuse. Who polluted the rivers and the air? Do you want to go back to the pre-EPA days? And the "bad guys" are not always wearing black hats. The Enron debacle is a good example. The people get raped and then they try to create some regulation to protect themselves from future rapes.

The next time you hear someone raving on about anti-government regulation, ask them: "Which regulation don't you want?"