I often wonder if the well-intentioned people who call for more and bigger government have ever actually studied it past the “good intentions stage.” Does big government really help the poor? Does big government help anyone other than those politicians (from both parties), bureaucrats and special interests participating in Corporatism and other special favors?
The best way to help the poor is to create an economy so prosperous that anyone who wants a job can find one, and those who cannot help themselves have access to more charity and help than can be imagined. Charity is indeed a high value. And, the free market does it much better than does government.
John Stossel recently wrote about the onerous government rules brought to us through both major parties: “we’re drowning in rules — 160,000 pages worth. {This} kills opportunity and freedom.”
This reminded me of something from years ago. My friend and political mentor, the late Harry Browne was talking about the newly-enacted NAFTA (North American Free trade Agreement). He explained that this was not free trade at all. He said, “it doesn’t take over 1000 pages to say, ‘okay, you can all trade freely now.'”
According to the Competitive Enterprise Institute on October 3, 2011, “At the moment, the Federal Register stands at 61,247 pages — for 2011 alone.” (Emphasis mine.) In a recent television interview, Amilya Antonetti noted we have over 71,000 pages in our tax code. As she points out, “that’s good for accountants and lawyers, but it’s not good for small business.” Nor is it good for practically any private citizen because all of this inhibits job creation.
To those on both sides of the political aisle, might I suggest that, rather than calling each other names and accusing those who don’t agree with you of being bad people, let’s understand that, essentially, most Americans want the same thing: a society where people are free to pursue happiness.
Let’s also understand that, if we’re going to have such a society, we must respect each others natural rights to do such, and not try to burden others — through the force of government — with “our own” image of the perfect society.
People should be free to live their lives and pursue happiness in whatever way they see fit…providing they don’t infringe upon the rights of anyone else to do the same. (Can anyone really argue with that statement?)
And, all these rules and regulations — over and above government’s legitimate functions of protecting the citizenry against force and fraud — inhibits one’s right to own and use their property (meaning themselves, their possessions and their business) in the way they see fit. And, when that happens, people suffer, jobs are lost and the economy tanks.
It’s not that complicated. Universal Laws never are. But, they must be respected. If not, then…well, we are seeing the affects. Are we ready to let our elected officials know it is time for a change?
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Bob: Speaking of rules and regulations, let’s not forget the voluminous IRS code (not even sure HOW many pages that clocks in at now!!) 🙂
When I attended college many moons ago 🙂 in pursuit of my accounting degree, one of my best teachers was my economics professor who taught us that government intervention in any way, shape or form was NEVER for the good of the people–if allowed to operate properly, a free market economy rewards those who should be rewarded (i.e., those who have worked their butts off to build successful, thriving businesses) and not those who complain that the government hasn’t GIVEN them enough and you are indeed correct; we are now seeing the affects in the way our country is being run…
Better stop now before I go off on a nut…:)
Thanks, as usual Bob, for a thought provoking post!!
Diane
Bob- Are you running for office- because you have My vote. : )
I learned something about rules and regulations having worked in several start up companies. At first, anything is doable and there are just a few people. If it needs doing; someone rolls up their sleeves and does it by whatever means necessary. But over time more people come on board and it’s too much to have everyone just winging it. After all, what if person B doesn’t like how person A winged it? That would be TERRIBLE, right? Process and procedures, rules and regulations are born at this point, a point I have come to identify as fear. Fear that something will happen different that how’d you would do it, fear that if it’s done wrong you will have to answer for it, fear that if it isn’t all laid out in excruciating detail then someone, somewhere, somehow will figure out how to slip through the cracks or circumvent the system. Suddenly, the need to document every contingency, every exception – as well as the rule – overtakes the group. And a staff of 50 now under performs the original staff of 5.
I think gov’t regulations happen the exact same way. From fear. The desperate need to control in order to prevent whatever is feared, no matter how unlikely it is that the fear will become a reality.
It’s usually not thousands of pages of rules, per say. It’s thousands of page of exceptions disguised as rules.
Hi Bob,
I agree with you in principal, there are too many regulations. The question is where do we draw the line. I’m assuming you are in favor of the regulations and laws that protect your intellectual property.
Mike
Diane: I certainly agree, both with you and your college professor. So long as people are protected against force and fraud, every other rule and regulation is basically a duplication of such. And, they are usually politically motivated; framed as though they are for the “protection of the people” but – more often than not – they are for the protection of the government and those who have bought their influence.
Debbi. No…but thank you. 😉
Kim: Good points. Or, as Mel Brooks character, Governor William J. LoPettimane told his staff, “we’ve got to protect our phony baloney jobs gentlemen!” 🙂
Mike: Thank you for your comment. We draw the line at force and fraud (as mentioned in the above article and every article I write on this topic) and its manifestations. Intellectual Property falls under “property rights” and it is a legitimate function of government is to protect property rights. Make sense?
HI Bob,
Do you remember a movie named DAVE? He went into the White House with his accountant and told him to balance the books.
What was Dave’s real job – when he wasn’t doubling for the President? He owned an employment agency and each day he greeted his staff with, “Everybody works!”
Aren’t people considered genius who can boil down complex ideas and situations to the simplest forms? Well, I guess we can’t accuse our government of that..thank you very little.
As a student of servant leadership, I noticed that Jesus took 613 Mosaic laws and encompassed them into two. Wouldn’t it be nice if our government could do the same?
Excellent post Bob!
I read rules & regs daily as I process federally funded grants for our programs. It is beyond ridiculous to read pages & pages of language that I could easily be condensed. No to mention the trees that could be saved! As if that weren’t enough….the instructions are never ending. I have learned so much & continue to learn everyday. The most important things are to (1) Read the fine print; (2) How I will word grants when I personally fund them.
I have a theory….not as brilliant as the Burgian theory of course, but…..they use heavily worded laws, rules, etc. as an attempt to discourage people from applying for or changing the law. They can break the opponent & wear them down before they even enter the ring.
A great book I just read talked about the # of words used in the Constitution, Declaration of Independence & the Bible. 🙂
Speaking of wordy documents……I have one to process now so….
I appreciate your views!
g
Lennie: LOL. Great point!
Brian and Geneva: Thank you. Geneva, I’ve never heard the term, “Burgian theory” before. Now you’re definitely giving me too much credit. 😉 LOL