We differ on that view of the role of government. If government keeps bailing people out when they get into trouble through their own stupidity, they will keep being stupid.
My sister ruined my nieces by giving them anything they whined for loudly enough. So, of course, they learned to whine for everything. While in our family, the ironclad rule was, "you whine, you don't get it, even if you would have gotten it had you asked nicely." So our kids don't whine.
Same thing with the people. Keep giving them everything when they whine, and they'll turn into a nation of whiners.
Government exists for only a few limited purposes, IMO. To keep the peace. To provide infrastructure so that those who want to work hard have a fair chance (not a guarantee, but a chance) to succeed and live a happy life. That infrastructure includes lots of things, such as a quality money supply, good weights and measures, enforcement of contract, etc.
But government does NOT exist to be the parent to children. It does NOT exist, IMO, to protect people when they choose to be stupid. Let them be stupid, but let them pay for it. They'll learn. |
