President Obama made a gloomy speech last night, saying basically that we need much more government in order to avoid an economic collapse that could cause a severe reduction in our country’s standard of living. He wants to give the government a lot of money to spend; his plan will require more and bigger government institutions in the short run, and more government tax burden on the citizens in the long run.
I’m not entirely against all of this. As a young man, I had socialist leanings. I said back then that the government IS the people; there’s nothing else that represents the “social body”. As such, government control of the economy would represent a more democratic and egalitarian way of running the economy than capitalism would. Capitalism requires that rich people control the economy; government (ideally) gives everyone a vote and a voice in it. It seems more fair.
As an old man, I’ve learned that theories like this don’t always work out. Government often takes on a life and a voice of its own, not necessarily the voice of the people. And it usually doesn’t do as good a job in running things as capitalism does.
I had a “government day” yesterday, one that gave me some food for thought regarding Mr. Obama’s philosophy (i.e., exploiting public fears regarding the economy so as to expand government). My mother is in the hospital and things are busy where I work, but my car was due for state inspection. So I got up early and drove over to the local inspection station; it is scheduled to open at 6:30 AM (sez so right on the NJ MVC web site). Well, I got there at 6:50 and there was a chain blocking the driveway, with two or three cars waiting behind it. So I got in line and waited. At about 7:10 a guy finally walked out and took down the chain. OK, fine. Despite the delay, my car passed and I went home.
Next, I needed to visit the Post Office as to buy a money order. Why, in this day and age of credit cards and checks, would I need an old-fashioned money order? Because a local government agency made a mistake and claims that I have an outstanding parking ticket, in a town that my car and I had never even seen. I received a cheery note in the mail from this government agency, stating that if I didn’t send them $95 by the end of the month, they would start collection actions that could include detainers and a revocation of my driver’s license. And by the way, this agency didn’t accept checks or credit cards; only money orders were acceptable. Well, I intend to protest all of this; but having once had my drivers license nearly revoked because of a government agency’s mistake, I decided to pay first and argue later. So I needed a money order, and a bit of research told me that the Post Office was probably the best place to get one.
USPS.COM told me that the local P.O. would open at 8:30 AM. So I got there at 8:45, and guess what? It wasn’t open yet. There were some people waiting at the door; they had heard that it would open around nine. So, another government-sponsored wait for me. Around 10 minutes after nine, the Post Office window finally opened. After a few more minutes I was able to get my money order, as to forestall the government from taking my rights to drive away (and thus be able to help my mother while in the hospital).
While at the window counter, I thought that I might combine some pleasure with business and buy a small sheet of commemorative stamps; hey, why not support a government effort to make its product (postage stamps) nicer to the consumer, and even worth collecting? Well, the friendly postal clerk looked in his cabinet and told me, sorry, no commemorative stamps. What? I get a quarterly catalog from the Postal Service telling me about their commemoratives, and I knew that a variety of special stamps had just been printed celebrating Abraham Lincoln’s 200th birthday, the Chinese New Year, Edgar Allan Poe, and some other stuff. Sorry; my local Post Office was not participating in consumer marketing that day. Just the basics — take it or leave it (after requiring a half hour wait).
Ah, government. Under Obama, government is going to play a bigger role in all of our lives. So we, the common folk, are going to experience more paperwork, more waiting in lines (or on hold on telephones), more “take it or leave it” transactions, more “obey or we go after you” orders. And yeah, more taxes eventually.
Government (as we know it here in the USA) gives its best efforts to 1.) those who get the most attention from the press; 2.) those who can sway the most voters; or 3.) those who work the system best (e.g., utilizing constitutional guarantees to sue the government). Sometimes poor and middle class people can do this; most often, it’s the rich and powerful who do it best. With capitalism, the rich and powerful make the big decisions; but at some point they have to think about whether the poor and middle class will buy what they offer. So, when the dust settles, both systems favor the rich and powerful, but give something to the poor and middle class. Neither is clearly a better system, from the social justice perspective. (If you remember the lessons of history, you will forget about communism as an alternative; communist centralism makes the biggest promises to the poor, and then cheats them the most.)
But yes, there are good things about government, and they were also part of my day. I was able to drive reasonably quickly to my mother’s hospital on a highway built with government funding. My mother’s health is largely subsidized by the government (Medicare). And I myself work for local government, and I was able to get some things done that day that made our agency’s operations a tiny bit better (but admittedly, I can sometimes be a brain-dead, rubber-stamp bureaucrat too; it’s contagious).
So I’m not saying that President Obama is entirely wrong. But for such a bright guy, for a politician who campaigned as an “intelligent pragmatist”, I am surprised at how quickly he has leapt into the “big government” pot. The American people may let him get away with it this time, given the mess that we’re in; but at some point, they may revolt and start listening to the Republicans once again. And then, things will go too far the other way; too much will be handed back over to the private sector. It’s all a question of balance, and I wish that Mr. Obama would try a little harder to strike a good, steady balance (and avoid the inevitable counter-revolution). Even if that means giving less power and glory to Nancy Pelosi and Obama’s many other Democrat friends.
P.S. — Joe Connolly from the WSJ made a good point today on his Business News broadcast (on CBS newsradio), regarding middle aged people getting laid off. He noted that employers are getting flooded by resumes these days, and are tempted to immediately throw out the ones from older folk. Then he suggested that they think twice about that, given that the entire crew of US Airways flight 1549 (the one that successfully ditched in the Hudson River last month) was over 50.
Jim,
First, let me say that I hope your Mother improves and is home soon from the hospital.
Second, I have to disagree with your description of yourself as “old.” I think you need probably another 20/25 years under your belt before you can claim that adjective for yourself. Well into your middle age might describe you.
Third, regarding Obama’s speech: While I agree he didn’t tell us everything will be just peachy in a month or two, so in that sense it was a “gloomy” speech). But I must say I was impressed with his speech. I thought we would never had heard such a speech from GWB–ever. When a reporter asked Obama point blank what signs to look for as regards any improvement in the economy I tho’t how’s he going to hedge this question. But Obama carefully delineated four signs to look for. Very specific, very definite.
Also, there was NOT even one “I believe” this or that in Obama’s speech–as opposed to GWB’s speeches which were filled with such. This fact in itself lightened my thoughts as I listened to Obama. Here was a man who is thinking carefully about the situation the country is in and who approaches its problems with considered and educated thought. That in itself tends to give me some relief about the situation in which the country finds itself. Imagine the country being guided by a prez such a Reagan with his Alzheimer’s (no offense to people who have this terrible disease, but they are not capable of guiding a country). Nor are we guided by the “beliefs” of GWB. “Beliefs” by definition have no rational thought behind them. Beliefs by definition are something one accepts without the basis of any rationality or careful thought behind them. Beliefs have their place–but not in running a country, any country.
My initial thought about Obama was that he’d be saying the same thing he usually says, and I had intended to simply listen to a few sentences and turn to something else. But as he began his talk and especially as he addressed reporters’ questions, I found myself wanting to hear what he had to say and being heartened that it is Obama leading our country at this point.
Furthermore, I say give Obama a chance–a year, maybe two–to see what he can do. I must say that the Republicans seem to be acting like spoiled children. I actually heard one congressman complain that Obama had said he was going to have “BIpartisan-ship” in his administration. Yet, the committee re the economy had only 3 Republicans instead of the 6 that would make it truly BI-partisan! Please! I thought of the time during the Korean War when peace talks were delayed because of arguments over the size of the table. Then a I heard Congresswoman say: “The house is on fire, and we are arguing over the color of the fire truck.” I say: Hurrah for her. She’s got the point. If the guy wants to get picky about terminology, well, OK, Obama is only being quarter-partisan. Good grief! Are all the Republicans such spoiled children? I did not hear much better from McCain either.
And I’m tired of hearing Republicans calling for “more tax cuts”, by which they mean “for the rich”, for those who are already making $1 million a year. I heard the CEOs mention their salaries of $1 mil per year over and over. And the CEOs, I had a hunch, tho’t in their hearts how self-sacrificing they are. All I could think of was: How many people are there around who would settle for 1/10th of that per year and consider themselves to have had a miracle from heaven fall on their heads.
As to your “gov’t experiences” at the NJ MVC and the USPS–I have to agree with you. I sometimes wonder at the brazenness of the letter carrier who delivers my mail. Many times mail is literally “stuffed” into the box with what seems like a deliberate attempt to be sure that not one piece of it arrives in my hand without being folded several times–crushed is the specific word that applies, I think. One time I even looked directly at the man, said what I hoped would be a reasonably ge
Comment by MCS — February 13, 2009 @ 11:09 am
Jim,
First, let me say that I hope your Mother improves and is home soon from the hospital.
Second, I have to disagree with your description of yourself as “old.” I think you need probably another 20/25 years under your belt before you can claim that adjective for yourself. Well into your middle age might describe you.
Third, regarding Obama’s speech: While I agree he didn’t tell us everything will be just peachy in a month or two, so in that sense it was a “gloomy” speech). But I must say I was impressed with his speech. I thought we would never had heard such a speech from GWB–ever. When a reporter asked Obama point blank what signs to look for as regards any improvement in the economy I tho’t how’s he going to hedge this question. But Obama carefully delineated four signs to look for. Very specific, very definite.
Also, there was NOT even one “I believe” this or that in Obama’s speech–as opposed to GWB’s speeches which were filled with such. This fact in itself lightened my thoughts as I listened to Obama. Here was a man who is thinking carefully about the situation the country is in and who approaches its problems with considered and educated thought. That in itself tends to give me some relief about the situation in which the country finds itself. Imagine the country being guided by a prez such a Reagan with his Alzheimer’s (no offense to people who have this terrible disease, but they are not capable of guiding a country). Nor are we guided by the “beliefs” of GWB. “Beliefs” by definition have no rational thought behind them. Beliefs by definition are something one accepts without the basis of any rationality or careful thought behind them. Beliefs have their place–but not in running a country, any country.
My initial thought about Obama was that he’d be saying the same thing he usually says, and I had intended to simply listen to a few sentences and turn to something else. But as he began his talk and especially as he addressed reporters’ questions, I found myself wanting to hear what he had to say and being heartened that it is Obama leading our country at this point.
Furthermore, I say give Obama a chance–a year, maybe two–to see what he can do. I must say that the Republicans seem to be acting like spoiled children. I actually heard one congressman complain that Obama had said he was going to have “BIpartisan-ship” in his administration. Yet, the committee re the economy had only 3 Republicans instead of the 6 that would make it truly BI-partisan! Please! I thought of the time during the Korean War when peace talks were delayed because of arguments over the size of the table. Then a I heard Congresswoman say: “The house is on fire, and we are arguing over the color of the fire truck.” I say: Hurrah for her. She’s got the point. If the guy wants to get picky about terminology, well, OK, Obama is only being quarter-partisan. Good grief! Are all the Republicans such spoiled children? I did not hear much better from McCain either.
And I’m tired of hearing Republicans calling for “more tax cuts”, by which they mean “for the rich”, for those who are already making $1 million a year. I heard the CEOs mention their salaries of $1 mil per year over and over. And the CEOs, I had a hunch, tho’t in their hearts how self-sacrificing they are. All I could think of was: How many people are there around who would settle for 1/10th of that per year and consider themselves to have had a miracle from heaven fall on their heads.
As to your “gov’t experiences” at the NJ MVC and the USPS–I have to agree with you. I sometimes wonder at the brazenness of the letter carrier who delivers my mail. Many times mail is literally “stuffed” into the box with what seems like a deliberate attempt to be sure that not one piece of it arrives in my hand without being folded several times–crushed is the specific word that applies, I think. One time I even looked directly at the man, said what I hoped would be a reasonably genial hello, only to be met with a stoic (nicest word) or maybe a sullen, insolent, bold look of almost contempt with no response whatsoever. Well! He’ll never get another “hello” from me.
As regards the “older” people being laid off: That’s been going on for years. The problem there is that it is the older people who have got to the point where they have EARNED higher salaries. I myself was forced into early retirement–part of which was fueled by the idea that paying the higher salaries of those who earned them was not good business when “they” could get younger people, less educated, less experienced to “do the SAME job” for much less money. I say they might do the job–but not the SAME job in the same way. The US Airways crew is evidence of that.
In the end I say give Obama and his administration and the Democratic majority Congress a chance to do their best before we start saying they have not solved all the problems of the country in a month.
MCS
Comment by MCS — February 13, 2009 @ 11:09 am
Jim,
First, let me say that I hope your Mother improves and is home soon from the hospital.
Second, I have to disagree with your description of yourself as “old.” I think you need probably another 20/25 years under your belt before you can claim that adjective for yourself. Well into your middle age might describe you.
Third, regarding Obama’s speech: While I agree he didn’t tell us everything will be just peachy in a month or two, so in that sense it was a “gloomy” speech). But I must say I was impressed with his speech. I thought we would never had heard such a speech from GWB–ever. When a reporter asked Obama point blank what signs to look for as regards any improvement in the economy I tho’t how’s he going to hedge this question. But Obama carefully delineated four signs to look for. Very specific, very definite.
Also, there was NOT even one “I believe” this or that in Obama’s speech–as opposed to GWB’s speeches which were filled with such. This fact in itself lightened my thoughts as I listened to Obama. Here was a man who is thinking carefully about the situation the country is in and who approaches its problems with considered and educated thought. That in itself tends to give me some relief about the situation in which the country finds itself. Imagine the country being guided by a prez such a Reagan with his Alzheimer’s (no offense to people who have this terrible disease, but they are not capable of guiding a country). Nor are we guided by the “beliefs” of GWB. “Beliefs” by definition have no rational thought behind them. Beliefs by definition are something one accepts without the basis of any rationality or careful thought behind them. Beliefs have their place–but not in running a country, any country.
My initial thought about Obama was that he’d be saying the same thing he usually says, and I had intended to simply listen to a few sentences and turn to something else. But as he began his talk and especially as he addressed reporters’ questions, I found myself wanting to hear what he had to say and being heartened that it is Obama leading our country at this point.
Furthermore, I say give Obama a chance–a year, maybe two–to see what he can do. I must say that the Republicans seem to be acting like spoiled children. I actually heard one congressman complain that Obama had said he was going to have “BIpartisan-ship” in his administration. Yet, the committee re the economy had only 3 Republicans instead of the 6 that would make it truly BI-partisan! Please! I thought of the time during the Korean War when peace talks were delayed because of arguments over the size of the table. Then a I heard Congresswoman say: “The house is on fire, and we are arguing over the color of the fire truck.” I say: Hurrah for her. She’s got the point. If the guy wants to get picky about terminology, well, OK, Obama is only being quarter-partisan. Good grief! Are all the Republicans such spoiled children? I did not hear much better from McCain either.
And I’m tired of hearing Republicans calling for “more tax cuts”, by which they mean “for the rich”, for those who are already making $1 million a year. I heard the CEOs mention their salaries of $1 mil per year over and over. And the CEOs, I had a hunch, tho’t in their hearts how self-sacrificing they are. All I could think of was: How many people are there around who would settle for 1/10th of that per year and consider themselves to have had a miracle from heaven fall on their heads.
As to your “gov’t experiences” at the NJ MVC and the USPS–I have to agree with you. I sometimes wonder at the brazenness of the letter carrier who delivers my mail. Many times mail is literally “stuffed” into the box with what seems like a deliberate attempt to be sure that not one piece of it arrives in my hand without being folded several times–crushed is the specific word that applies, I think. One time I even looked directly at the man, said what I hoped would be a reasonably ge
Comment by MCS — February 13, 2009 @ 11:09 am