*** If people moved back in to cities where they could walk or bike to work, or drive a short distance on local roads maintained by a more accountable local government, we’d be less dependent on government.***
Guess you've never heard of the City of Chicago or of Cook County and the Board that runs it. Go ahead, read about it all in the Chicago Tribune or Chicago Sun-Times, the links can be found on Drudge. But be advised, it may affect that alternate universe, aka 'Happy Land', you apparently live in.
ps: But you better hurry while they're still available in English.
Chicago is but one city, and a huge one at that. It’s much holder to hold local government accountable at that size; it’s like state government. I favor smaller cities. That’s why I like Minneapolis and St. Paul.