Government Can't Do it All (Or Even Most of It)

Townhall.com ^ | October 21, 2008 | Cal Thomas

[Kaslin]

People who put faith in government to solve national or even individual problems are headed for deep disappointment, if it hasn't already arrived. Still, that doesn't stop politicians from attempting to sell political snake oil to the gullible. No one ever lost money betting on the ignorance of the uninformed masses.

What should be required viewing before the election is "John Stossel's Politically Incorrect Guide to Politics," a "20/20" report critical of the U.S. government's ability to get things done (abcnews.com). The report looked at facts, not opinions, or "feelings" concerning government's inability to live up to the high expectations caused by over-promising politicians.

Stossel visited New Orleans to see how government reconstruction is progressing three years after Hurricane Katrina. What he found should not surprise anyone. Huge numbers of houses remain un-repaired thanks to a bureaucracy that could serve as a plot for a horror movie called "Nightmare on Bourbon Street." The forms necessary to apply for permits to conduct any repairs or construct new buildings take 10 minutes to explain. As for the houses themselves, "Of the 314 public projects (New Orleans Mayor Ray) Nagin promoted in his 'One New Orleans' rebuilding campaign announced in January 2006, only six are complete."

[T Lady]

Excellent column by Cal Thomas and an even better 20/20 by Schlossel, which really did highlight the absurdities and dangers of too much governmental interference...by both parties.

The Campaign Finance fiasco was one of my biggest problems with Senator McCain, and why I initially did not support him during the primaries. Just as that poor doctor found out, unless you are a zillionaire and have a staff that could fill out that mountain of paperwork, you are screwed...and why Washington, D.C. is such a putrid cesspool.

...But of course, now when I think of the damage his opponent could do to this country, I am more inclined to cast my vote for him, warts and all.

[SoConPubbie]

...But of course, now when I think of the damage his opponent could do to this country, I am more inclined to cast my vote for him, warts and all.

The problem with that statement and sentiment is that we are all going to be regretting the outcome of this election no matter who wins.

With McCain, you'll end up with many big-government, costly solutions to just about every problem you can think of, a Carbon Cap-and-Trade system to solve the phone Global Warming scam, and Amnesty for 20 million+ illegal aliens who always and reliably vote Democrat.

We are so totally screwed this election.

[T Lady]

Well, then what do you suggest?

I'm not being sarcastic, I'm all ears (or in this case, all eyes). In the 20/20 special, Stossell (yeah, I got his name right this time around) really articulated the perils of putting our trust in imperfect politicians and believing they can magically wipe away all of our troubles. And that we the people more often than not, are the solutions to our problems. Just check out the segment on the Katrina aftermath.

As for McCain, well...as Republicans and Conservatives we can fight him on these ridiculous proposals.

With 0bama, you can forget it.

[T Lady]

Oops...I misspelled poor Mr. Stossel's name wrong again.