Ok. It came to me in a flash. I know that most people who are “partisan” (which means politically bias for those of you not afflicted with the mind-numbing need to watch politics as avid as any other sport) consider the other party exactly wrong on all issues. I found a decent way to put into words my feelings why “my side of the aisle” believes government is not the solution to an individual’s problems.
It comes down to ethics. Now, this is not going to be an admonishment of anyone’s moral code, so please read on. I think you’ll find yourself understanding my point and it never brings YOUR ethics up (unless you’re a government bureaucrat, though even then it makes allowances).
The very complaint that is lodged against capitalists is that they will screw anyone to make a buck, that without regard for “the little guy” they price gouge or put competitors out of business, all so a few rich people at the head of the company can get richer while they stand upon the shoulders of their poor, whipped workers.
This is, in fact, acting unethically. I think any of us would agree the (admittedly extreme) picture that paints is unethical.
However, there are several safeguards built into the system. You can buy your product from someone else. Don’t like Wal Mart, shop at Target, HEB, K-Mart, Walgreens, your local grocer, etc. Is it “unfair” that Wal Mart has lower prices? No more than it’s “unfair” that HEB has better produce or a more interesting selection. I choose where I go.
The problem comes in when there is a genuine monopoly. Those continue to disappear. It used to be electricity and cable were monopolies. Now deregulation has put competition into electricity and satellite TV (of which there are choices) has taken a huge chunk out of the cable market. Unfortunately, there is no competition for government. Nor, do I think, there should be. Just look at Israel and Palestine. Or Kashmir. Or Taiwan.
The assumptions made about government include the assumption that it, and the various programs it oversees, are going to be run by ethical people. Ok, before you laugh so hard you snort coffee out your nose into your keyboard, this is where I bring it back to my mean-spirited, right-wing attack machine, capitalist blah blah blah blah blah.
Which party promotes smaller government (letting entities like the Salvation Army handle charity style programs) and claims character matters?
Which party promotes larger government with more monopoly-style programs (you think healthcare is bad NOW, wait until you have no choice because it’s all government) AND tells you character isn’t “as important”. It doesn’t matter WHAT they’re doing in their office. It doesn’t matter WHERE they got the money for their campaign. It doesn’t matter that they change their minds more regularly than we change our shirts.
Someone is telling you they’re out to protect you from the greedy “big guy” by setting up an even bigger monopoly run by people who are made less accountable due to the fact that they are part of the very government that is supposed to be watch dogging those people. You think CEOs get protected and special treatment...
Again, it comes down to ethics. If you could assure me you were going to elect people who themselves are not only going to run things ethically but are going to appoint people to run things ethically, I would be less inclined to rail against larger government. The problem “the other side” has is ethical politicians would reduce the size of the government. They have to elect the unethical ones to get their agenda passed.
2 comments:
That was very well said, and a concept most people don't get. They think "that will not affect me" (how many times have we heard THAT one recenntly?) or even "that can't possibly affect you, so how can you be against it?" and nobody realizes it's like the first little lie. Every time you tell a little lie, it beomces easier to lie the next time. Every timem you sign over some of your rights or power to the government, it becomes easier to do so next time (and, as Hipassus pointed out, that means harder not to). Thanks for the comment!
bloooo-ooooo-ggggg already, damn you!
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