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Politics : View from the Center and Left -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Dale Baker who wrote (36412)	4/18/2007 8:52:07 AM
From: LindyBill	1 Recommendation Respond to of 542024

But it won't change until we start throwing out complacent incumbents in large numbers. "Throw the rascals out" doesn't work anymore. We did that with the Republicans in 94, and they turned into big spending Dems. Now we get the Dems back in, and the big promise of what they were going to do in the first "100 days" has already gone by the wayside. Not one of their measures passed. 911 was just an excuse to spend billions more on Terrorist pork. The combining of departments has just added more levels of bureaucracy. Every program started by the Government, no matter how well intentioned, turns into the Post Office. We can see that right now with NASA. "The Post Office goes to Mars."

To: Dale Baker who wrote (36412)	4/18/2007 9:26:59 AM
From: epicure	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 542024

I think if we keep our eye on the constitution, and keep some standards about law enforcement, make sure our agencies have a rational way to communicate, and work well with other countries, we can have a reasonably cohesive system. I think our law enforcement system is probably one of the best in the world. Our country is quite peaceful, and generally well regulated, and while law enforcement agencies occasionally make mistakes, they are often caught and punished when they do. I am glad the government performs this function, and many others. I think workplace safety has been greatly increased by government inspectors, and that food safety is better for having the FDA- though I do wish we had more inspectors. I think food safety is right up there with law enforcement. The EPA is a great idea- though it's been weakened by this administration, I hope to see it stronger and better run under another, more dedicated, administration. I can even praise the DMV. In general I'm glad cars are registered, and checked for smog emissions. I'm glad people are required to have their vision tested occasionaly, and I think a driver's test is a good idea. While there is waste in government, and while mistakes are made, I think part of the greatness of America is the care we have taken to secure the safety of Americans. You know people cry about a "Nanny state"- but if that Nanny state is keeping children from being employed (and losing fingers and arms and their lives), and if it keeps the work day reasonable for people, and ensures workplace safety, if that nanny inspects food- in a way no individual would be able to do, and performs myriad services like that- then that's a good Nanny. The problem with people who complain about the Nanny, is that they use her endlessly. They get social security, they take advantage of the all the services I'ev already mentioned, they are protected from disease outbreaks by the CDC, presumably they want the FBI and CIA working on large scale threads- domestic and international, and then there's the military- one of our bigger nannies. I don't know of anyone who wants to give up the military. I sure don't. I'd like to see it used more rationally, but in general, I like it. So hooray for the Nanny state. And for those who whinge about it, I'd like to see them go without the benefits. I've been to the third world where the nanny is absent. It's not such a pretty picture- but if people really want to escape nanny, there are places where she is absent. Most people don't want to live in those places, though, 'cause life is better with Nanny.