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Successes and Failures of Government

What, exactly, should governments, at any level, be doing in return for all those taxes they collect?

That’s one of the key questions in American politics, and the public is very sharply divided in its response.  Many, perhaps most, believe in the more traditional purposes: providing protection from international threats from abroad, and from criminals within. Operating a justice system, to insure that citizen’s rights are maintained and disputes are settled peacefully. Insuring that basic infrastructure, such as roads and bridges, are safely maintained. Taking the steps necessary to provide the foundation for future peace and prosperity.

Since its founding, Washington has been largely successful in these traditional endeavors. With limited exception, the nation has largely been held safe from the incursions of enemies. It has grown from thirteen states to fifty. The most prosperous economy on the planet was developed, largely through the entrepreneurial spirit of the population with minimal government interference. Crime, though enduring highs and lows, has been kept to tolerable levels. Injustices such as those resulting from slavery, sexism and segregation have been weeded out.

Some nontraditional programs, Social Security and Medicare, have proven hugely popular and generally successful.  But storm clouds loom ahead.  Washington didn’t provide for “locking up” and reserving funds for future expenses.  Social Security may prove insolvent within the next thirty years, and Medicare will also face financial hurdles.
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But the same rate of achievement cannot be cited in its other nontraditional endeavors. Despite trillions spent on antipoverty programs, the poverty rate remains largely unchanged since the advent of Lyndon Johnson’s “War on Poverty.” Attempts to legislate certain market practices have led to unforeseen and unwanted results.  Consider the Community Reinvestment Act from the Carter era, a measure which was strengthened during the Clinton presidency.  While the intentions were good—attempting to provide more access to home ownership—the measure was the most significant factor in the Great Recession of 2007, from which America still seeks to recover.

Nontraditional approaches to traditional responsibilities have proven equally worrisome.  Public education, once the pride of most communities, has steadily deteriorated in quality as it has become increasingly politicized and subjected to mandates for goals unrelated to pedagogy. Border patrols have become increasingly burdened with restrictions also based on politics. While initial environmental actions were successfully in cleaning up the air and water, subsequent measures based on theories more involved in ideology than hard science have accomplished little except raising costs, hampering the economy, and interfering with property rights.

The debate over the proper role of government will continue. Hopefully, however, a candid review of the impact of many nontraditional activities will allow voters and elected officials alike to make decisions based on the success or failure of their actions.