Results of a Gallup Poll entitled “Government Itself
Still Cited as Top U.S. Problem” released on 15 January 2014 prompted me to share thoughts on each of the issues polled.
Government Reform.
Most Americans are frustrated with government’s failure and feel that our
elected officials could do a much better job. Our current system has broken down into trench
warfare instead of effective negotiation.
Our elected officials pay more attention to corporate donors than individual
voters. The economic and social
challenges facing America today will not be solved by a dysfunctional
government. Big government may be a fact
of life in America today, but big government should not mean big waste. The longer we put off government reform, the more
our potential as a culture, a nation, and a people, is wasted.
Economy. Sustainable
progress depends on a sustainable economy. An economy providing food, housing, education,
and jobs is our first step to building a better life. Efficient government regulation, protecting
individual rights and enforcing legal contracts sets the stage for a strong
economy. After a point, more regulation
hurts the economy and moves us farther from our goals of a better society.
Unemployment. More
people working, building, and creating improves our collective standard-of-living. Jobs allow individuals the self-determination
that lets them build lives, develop careers, and provide for families on their own
terms. Without jobs people face diminished
life choices and fewer opportunities for self-fulfillment, which is passed
along to the next generation.
Healthcare.
Healthcare in America is broken. Too
many people between the doctor and the patient make it too costly and too
regulated. Regardless of the promises, a
dysfunctional government taking control of a broken industry will not fix healthcare. At one-sixth of the American economy, we can
no longer afford to ignore the free market principles that would improve the
quality, service, and value that the healthcare industry currently lacks.
Federal Deficit.
Deficit spending gives an unnatural advantage to the creator of debt. Our federal government centralizes power using
borrowed money, while diminishing the power of state and local governments. Borrowed money inflates the price structure that
individuals and business must pay with real money to meet their tax obligations. This weakens the real economy, while letting
government promises reach an unsustainable level. Our political system cannot serve all members
of society fairly until we enforce a sustainable budget based on real money.
Rich-poor Gap.
Income inequality can be good, or bad.
If inequality results from an unfair system, then it must be fixed. If inequality results from lack of focus and
effort, the complaining individual should feel compelled to channel envy into more
productive efforts. Government reform,
allowing a healthy economy, is the best way to ensure that the gap between rich
and poor is only as large as the individual desires.
Lack of Money. Is
it a lack of money, or a lack of real money?
Government-created debt money is spent freely and taxpayers must pay
that back with real money. No wonder the
real economy is lacking money.
Education. At one
time, compulsory public education was a pillar of our growing economy. Government set forth basic requirements and
enforced simple regulations, while letting local communities educate their children
the best they could. With increased
regulation and federal government control, public education has become too
expensive and fails to prepare children adequately. More tax money and more regulations are not
going to fix the same problems they created.
Without cost-effective educational programs preparing young adults to
take their place as productive members of the future, we will eventually fail
as a society.
Ethics/Morals. Government
officials should set the example for moral and ethical behavior. Anything less is corruption. Qualitative management, where unethical and immoral government officials are impeached, or fired, is an important step in
Government Reform.
The Gallup Poll referenced can be found online at: http://www.gallup.com/poll/166844/government-itself-cited-top-problem.aspx
-- Ben Kuykendall
-- Ben Kuykendall
