The stupidity of the few

Balance when it comes to taxes is an interesting concept. I like low taxes. Who doesn't? But I also enjoy great parks, pot-hole free roads, top-notch public schools, strong police forces, public transportation, museums and all the things that make a civilized society civil. I don't particularly care to see lots of homeless people wandering around an otherwise great city, or sleeping on my doorstep. I don't think it's all that humane to just round them up and stuff our jails full of them, either. When I grow old, I think it is very helpful indeed that a safety net exists for me and others that will keep me out of the poorhouse - even though I may not need it.

There are a couple different ways to provide these things. We can organize initiatives by ourselves, pool our personal money and hire people directly to build and repair roads, provide security (police), educate our children etc. That's the way most third-world countries work. Everything is privatized, in a sense. The more you have, the more you are able to provide for yourself. Since people tend to live in areas of approximately the same economic level, wealthier groups provide themselves with a higher degree of service. This usually results in gated communities and slums.

It is very difficult to build stability in a society in this way. Because in a privatized society shared infrastructure is built only by those with wealth, the infrastructure tends to be limited and closed. Levels and quality of service delivery also varies. One road builder uses different processes and materials than another; some neighborhoods are more secure than others; poor gather with the poor; the rich buy themselves the amenities that allow them to advance in society.

The other option is of course to establish a reasonable tax code and "hire the government" to provide certain services under the assumption that government is simply better organized to provide shared services. I believe this is the fundamental organizing principle of government: Service levels. It's why I pay tax. Do I think my taxes are too high? Yes. Do I hate them? Yes. But taxes are the dues we pay as Americans to live in and opportunity rich society that regularly invests in shared infrastructure.

This is such common sense that it should be on the citizenship test. And we should remind ourselves regularly that our government exists to provide our common security and shared services. It does not exist to make me believe a certain thing, or protect my delicate sensibilities from someone else's free speech, or legislate the inside of someone's body... In the process of providing security and building common infrastructure it also fulfills the mission of protecting our constitution. When you hear people mutter about "The American Way of Life" this is what they are really talking about. This has particular relevance to the current fake debate over the so-called social security crisis. The President's plan, if it can be called that, doesn't move to either provide opportunity or invest in shared infrastructure. It is made with other intentions entirely, namely, to change the organizing principle of American Government.

In the quote below (via Kos), Dwight Eisenhower said:

Now it is true that I believe this country is following a dangerous trend when it permits too great a degree of centralization of governmental functions. I oppose this--in some instances the fight is a rather desperate one. But to attain any success it is quite clear that the Federal government cannot avoid or escape responsibilities which the mass of the people firmly believe should be undertaken by it. The political processes of our country are such that if a rule of reason is not applied in this effort, we will lose everything--even to a possible and drastic change in the Constitution. This is what I mean by my constant insistence upon "moderation" in government. Should any political party attempt to abolish social security, unemployment insurance, and eliminate labor laws and farm programs, you would not hear of that party again in our political history. There is a tiny splinter group, of course, that believes you can do these things. Among them are H. L. Hunt (you possibly know his background), a few other Texas oil millionaires, and an occasional politician or business man from other areas. Their number is negligible and they are stupid.

Consider, please, the stupidity of the negligible few in the coming weeks as they seek to sell you their agenda. Apply appropriate pressure as needed.