Government TOO involved in trying to level the playing field
I was listening to talk radio today, and think I got this idea while listening to Jason Lewis. He was talking about the government trying to help people by giving them some sort of handout or benefit, and how that obviously comes at the expense of others – those who work hard get their success taken away from them. Government can not give to someone what it does not take away from someone else. What I was thinking is this: What really levels the playing field for people is when government does NOT get involved. I know, that’s not very earth shattering. But, if you think about it, that’s a little different than the typical conservative or libertarian talk. What you usually hear is that government should not be in the ______ business (fill in the blank). We often talk about the negative part of government – the over-reaching arm of the government either through regulation, un-Constitutional laws, taking over companies or industries, rewarding failure and downright socialism.
Let’s adjust our thinking a little bit here. Instead of thinking about what the government does that is negative (at all levels, local, state and especially federal), let’s think about what can they do that would be a positive thing to level the playing field for everyone? Well, it’s not really what can the government do….it’s more what they would NOT do to level the playing field. The best thing that government can do to help it’s citizens, is to stay out of the business of trying to make things fair and stop trying to make it so people cannot fail. But really, that’s not the whole story, either. Existing un-Constitutional laws need to be repealed, un-Constitutional departments need to be closed down, taking their regulations that were not voted into law with them. The less government does, the more even the playing field is for everyone. No more corporate welfare and regulations that benefit just a few companies. Level the playing field by not punishing people and business, and by not taking away what they have earned to give to someone else that has not earned anything. Give everyone an equal opportunity to succeed or to fail. When government attempts to take away the chance to fail, it also takes away opportunity to succeed.
Time and time again in history, there have been examples how socialism/communism has not worked. Why do we have to keep repeating these failed ideas over and over? Capitalism has proven to be the best way to prosperity for all. Property rights, political and personal freedom, liberty, hard work, personal charity – all together, these have been proven to be our best hope to become and stay a great nation. Many of the most recent presidential administrations have forgotten this principle. Growth of governmental powers should frighten us. More and larger government means less freedom and liberty. As in one of my previous blog entries, we need to get back to the basics.
