re: #111 Obdicut

Well, I can grumpily disagree with that. I’m not someone who buys into the weird idea that government bureaucracy is automatically more inefficient than private bureaucracy, but there is definitely room for lots of efficiency improvements in our government. There’s lots of stuff with downstream effects, as well.

For example, if we substantially changed the way that we fought the drug war— decriminalizing marijuana, decriminalizing possession of most other stuff— we’d be able to spend far less tax money on prisons, the justice system, law enforcement, and a whole host of other areas. In addition, those who were previously arrested could be holding down jobs out in the walking world, contributing to their own upkeep instead of it being paid totally by the state.

I am all for necessary raising of taxes. However, we have such systemic faults in so many areas in this country, we really do need to change the way we go about doing things, as well.

While we would probably disagree about the number and placement of systemic faults, I agree with the basic. I also agree with the specific re changing how we deal with drugs.

That said, it’s also an easy trap to get into. It’s what leads to the philosophy, “We don’t need to raise taxes, we just need to cut unnecessary government.” From there it’s an easy shuffle to the current belief that ALL government is too big and needs cut down so it can be “drowned in a bathtub.” (Grover Norquist, Anarchist.)

It also leads to the false economy of robbing Peter to pay Paul. Agencies and such are no longer evaluated on need and effectiveness and rightness. Instead, they are whittled downward as one is sacrificed to increase another, then that second is sacrificed to raise the first — but not quite to the level it was before, thus ratcheting it all downward.

Thus I push the “pay for it” meme. You want it? Pay for it. Don’t rob someone else, pull the money out of YOUR wallet. Or quite complaining - either works as a first step for me.