Failure of small government

[beastieboy]

I sent this letter to the Boston Globe:

Republicans hate big government. they want low taxes, eased regulation on businesses, etc. Oliver Wendell Holmes argued "Taxes are the price we pay for a civilized society", and I couldn't agree more. We no longer live in a corner of the woods with our own livestock and farm, living off the land. We are an integrated, highly co-dependent group of people. While we go about our business, making money and living the american dream, we rely on the government to provide us with safe roads, safe food, safe water, and protection from terrorists. That's not a bad thing: we certainly can't muster a militia to go looking for terror cells, or grab an I-beam and fix the bridge on the overpass. Recent events show the consequences of limiting the power of, or not providing adequate resources to the government. A bridge that was deemed in need of replacement collapsed with hundreds of cars crossing it. A recall has just been announced for Fisher Price childrens toys manufactured in China that are coated in lead paint. Our government is necessary and important in many aspects of our lives. There is no excuse for inadequate, dangerous roads and bridges, nor is there any excuse for allowing companies within the US to sell products that are dangerous to our children. Whatever the cost of oversight and maintenance of this countries' infrastructure, and the regulation of food and consumer products, we need to be willing to pay it.

[liberal N proud]

1. We all need to be point this out to all our Letter to the editor sections

Let them know that this is what happens when budget are slashed and programs cut in favor of tax cuts for the wealthy.

Great JOB!

[CrispyQ]

2. Outstanding!

Welcome to DU. :hi:

[unpossibles]

3. brilliant

infrastructure and the taxes which fund it, are what allow us the ability and opportunity to make a product, compete, and to hopefully make something of ourselves.

I only say this to appeal to the greed-heads who think taxes are a waste and that they can succeed without the society in which they live and work.

[beastieboy]

4. Even the super wealthy rely on infrastructure.

While flying in their private jets, there are air traffic ontrollers making sure they don't collide with another plane.

The electricity they use is provided by a government maintained grid.

[unpossibles]

7. I agree 100%, but they don't see it that way

also, the super rich could not have even gotten super rich without a consumer base which can get to work safely and quickly and be able to afford to buy the products which make the fat cats rich.

I'd like to see the people who think they can become a millionaire starting with nothing and with no outside influences or infrastructure move to a desert island and become successful. Honestly. They can move there anytime. I'll even drive the boat.

Don't get me wrong - I value hard work a lot, and think drive is very important, but no one is an island.

[BlueEyedSon]

11. Arguably they use more of the infrastructure.

The courts, the SEC, etc etc

[The2ndWheel]

6. They also allow us to alter the climate

Good with the bad. Ying with the yang.

[unpossibles]

8. I think it could be argued that that box is already open

and it also allows us to try to reduce our harm to the environment as well, by pulling our resources and learning how to grow without depleting what sustains us. Granted, that is very optimistic, but....

[The2ndWheel]

9. The box is torn to shreds

"Granted, that is very optimistic, but...."

...there is no other option in 2007 with a global population of 6.5 billion and growing. With growing wants. With growing desires. With growing needs.

Then to meet all that growth, we'll need to alter the climate/environment/habitat even more, by building more, by expanding further.

But indeed my friend. But indeed.

[tinrobot]

5. But government is bigger than ever.

It's just not spending our tax dollars on us.

[beastieboy]

10. No doubt one could argue the money is being spent in the wrong way

Certainly there is waste, and spending billions a week on wars, combined with tax cuts for the rich spells disaster.