by Deborah Mowery
The size and role of government is an issue that has defined and driven political debate in America from the beginning of the republic. We Americans (and particularly Texans) are an independent bunch. We treasure our freedom and challenge any actions by our government that we believe are threatening our liberty. But what does that mean exactly?
Many on the right claim that bigger government means less freedom even though there is no real world evidence to support that theory. We know there are nations with low taxes, few social programs, and few regulations on business that are highly repressive to their citizens banning free speech and many other liberties. We also have many examples of nations with huge public sectors who provide their citizens with such benefits as universal health care and pension programs while offering all the freedoms of a modern democracy. When was the last time anyone from Canada was clamoring for asylum to escape their repressive government? The myth that bigger government represses freedom may sound good on a bumper sticker but doesn’t reflect reality.
So what should be the role of government in modern America? Looking back at many of the programs that contributed so much to our success it’s apparent that, when done properly, large scale government intervention can be a force for good. The list of successful government programs is extensive but among the most well- known is Social Security which dramatically dropped the rate of poverty while offering our older and disabled citizens the comfort and knowledge of increased financial security.
Medicare is another government program that has positively impacted millions improving the health and longevity of older Americans.
The GI Bill created an educational program for veterans, helped to create the American middle class, and raised the educational level of the entire country. Creating and strengthening the nation’s highway system was begun with the Interstate Highway Act. Can any of us imagine our country without this highway system created by government?
Concern for the health and safety of our citizens has extended into government research on heart disease, cancer, stroke, and many other threats to our health.
While many corporations complain about regulation is there any doubt of the need to ensure safe food, drinking water, and drugs? Does anyone believe that would happen without government intervention? Our free market economy only works with the presence of a government that creates and maintains the rules of commerce.
These are but a few of the vast number of services and programs that have benefitted us all and helped build our great nation. Unfortunately, there continues to be constant criticism and attempts from the right to dismantle and eliminate any and all government programs. The myth promoted by some that government simply needs to go away and everyone will be better off is simplistic and ignores history and what we know about democracy. Undermining successful programs is not what our elected officials should be about. And yet we have seen an unrelenting attack on even our most basic services such as public schools.
The fact is that most government programs are successful most of the time…not always, but most of the time. The real challenge to our law makers should be to create programs that work for the people they serve. For we are a nation of not only independence but interdependence. We are most successful when we are working not only for the individual’s rights but for the common good and that means making government work for all. We should be electing reasonable, competent representatives dedicated to improving services not blindly eliminating them. So “big or small?” is really the wrong question. “Competence” should be the goal. One need only look at the different quality of response to Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Sandy to see that it is the competence of our leaders not the size of government that makes all the difference.
After all, while no one wants government on their back, don’t we all want government working for us and by our side? In our great democracy we have the power to make that happen!
Still not convinced? Check out governmentisgood.com for more FACTS!