The Big Philosophical Issues

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