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So You Like Big Government, Do You?

Posted: 07/11/11 11:10 AM ET

Some people like a government that is big and does everything for its citizens.

I do not.

Some people like a government that is always telling its populace what it may and may not do.

I do not.

Some people don't mind a government that tells its people where they must go for medical treatment, get a check-up or which doctor they have to see.

I do.

Some people don't worry about a government that prevents some companies from selling products, like McDonald's or Coca Cola, because the government says their products are unhealthy, while the same government lets other companies like Phillip Morris and BAT sell all the cigarettes they can.

I do.

Some people think it's OK for a government to bash cigarette smokers instead of tobacco companies.

I do not.

Some people think drugs of all sorts should be legalized.

I do not.

Some people have no problem with a government that tells the auto industry how to runs its business and then takes an ownership position in those automakers.

I do.

Some people don't mind that the government says they can't own guns to protect their homes and families.

I do.

Some people think it's fine for the government to say it's all right for women to abort their babies.

I do not.
Some people think same-sex marriage is splendid.

I do not.

Some people are all right with a government that pretends it is busy working and its programs are working instead of admitting its mistakes, eliminating excess expenses and trying to do better.

I am not.

Some people don't mind paying ridiculous taxes to fund big entitlement programs.

I do.

Some people don't object to mindless spending by our government when regular people are unemployed, hungry or suffering.

I do.

Some people think it's a good idea for government to try to be all things to all people.

I do not.

Some people think government should listen better; that it shouldn't operate in a vacuum or go spinning off in strange directions.

I certainly do.

Some people think government should tax less and serve more.

I definitely do.

Some people think government should take its marching orders from its people.

I assuredly do.

Some people think government--the supposed servants of the voters--should be spoken to and not heard from.

I vehemently do.

 

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HUFFPOST COMMUNITY MODERATOR
myzenthing
01:15 PM on 07/12/2011
So you hate big government....except when it comes to what people do with their bodies, what they choose to ingest, or who they choose to marry. Then you LOVE big government. How's that cognitive dissonance workin' out for ya?
IMOPINIONH8D
because I want it empty...
08:54 AM on 07/12/2011
Some people think they can get by without the government. I do not. I dont mind paying taxes it funds roads for me to drive on, schools to send my kids to get educated, cops when I need one, firemen if I need one, unemployment if I lose my job, etc,etc. Anyone that thinks they can survive without a government should move to Somalia, see how that works out for you.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Ebay Seller Len
08:23 AM on 07/12/2011
So you hate big government, do you? You don't want the government to tell people what they can put into their bodies, unless it's a weed that grows wild along most highways? That's your view of a small government? I disagree

And, I know you wingers love to say letting the auto industry collapse would be a good thing for this country. I do not.

Like it or not, abortion is a Constitutionally-protected procedure. Some people respect the Constitution. You do not.

Typical R talking points/hypocrisy. I don't like government in my life, but get them into the lives of everyone I disagree with. Take same sex marriage. You want the government to tell 2 consenting adults they cannot enter a legal contract, simply because you do not agree with their lifestyle. You think that is the proper role of a small government in a free society. I do not.

I could go on, but why bother.
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Elyriaohio
Stop the Monarchy
06:50 AM on 07/12/2011
Some people want Big Business to stop running our Government and stop victimizing the middle class. Conservatives do not.
06:37 AM on 07/12/2011
Instead of speaking about "big government", why don't we have a debate about "effective government"?

It would be great if cutting taxes increased government efficiency and performance. And when agencies are flush with funds, its a good time to decrease the revenue they receive.- But if we look at many government failures right now: public schools, our parole system, Child Protection services, are they struggling because they are overpaid, because they are public, because they have no competition? Or are they struggling because we refuse to invest the funding necessary to decrease class sizes, and decrease the number of people public sector workers must look after? Efficency gains can only be made up to a point; after that you are only decreasing the quality of service provided, while increasing discontent at how the public agency functions.

The assumption in this piece appears to be that government is big, bad, and ineffective because it is the government. Something is not efficient or inefficient based on whether it is private or public. Increased market competition can benefit some sectors (telecommunications sector in the 80s is a great example) and damage others (one recent example is the privatization of housing for the disabled in upstate New York, others include health care, defense contractors, etc). Let's stop the ideology, look carefully at why things don't work, and use pragmatism to solve our problems.
07:28 AM on 07/12/2011
Wow. Now this is a lady with a thoughtful, elegant, intelligent mind who is truly interested in understanding what makes the world tick. Betsy's is THE FIRST comment I've read--and contrary to what some other geniuses have posted here, I DO read all the comments--which contains some real ideas, makes suggestions and is not meant to be overly critical of my writing style, nitpick my way of saying things or just plain nasty and disgusting.

For the rest of you whiny, vain Libs who think the world revolves around you, the next time you hit "Reply," you might try and display for the rest of us some style, class and grace, as Betsy just did. Thanks Betsy!! It'd be my pleasure to have an interesting and informative (on my part--for me!) conversation and thoughtful debate with you at any time.

Your contribution here is greatly appreciated!!
08:51 AM on 07/12/2011
I believe you read all the comments. But reading and really listening are two different things, as you prove right here by lumping in every single person who has responded to your writings with the exception of the poster above as "whiny, vain Liberals who think the world revolves around ".
{them)"

Which shows you can't even see the posters as individuals, let alone "hear" what they're telling you.

The reason you are not going more positive comments is you persist in seeing the people you are trying to reach in negative, stereotypical terms.

Seek first to understand, then to be understood. You've so far faiiled miserably at the first.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Patterman
Retired attorney, professional actor/singer
04:59 AM on 07/12/2011
The inconsistencies and blatant hypocricies in this statement (see, for instance, the contortions he has to go into to "oppose" Big Government while also favoring government-imposed bans on a woman's right to choose and marriage equality) clearly bespeak the absolute bankruptcy of so-called "conservatism" in this country today.
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Kelly L White
An American Ex-Pat- Pagan.
04:40 AM on 07/12/2011
So stop the Drug War- the most blatant example of Big Government extant.
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
03:41 AM on 07/12/2011
So why is it the conservatives always want government in my bedroom and telling me who I can be with with?
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Ebay Seller Len
08:26 AM on 07/12/2011
It's also 'small government' conservatives who are advocating harsh sentences for minor crimes. (i.e. 3 years in prison for bouncing a check). This is small government? This is fiscally sound?
07:23 PM on 07/12/2011
Fair-minded Americans gave this one a try thirty years ago, when gays said "Just stay out of our bedrooms, we don't want anything to do with your kids". Now they can't seem to keep their bedrooms out of our kids' classrooms, and it's the fair-minded Americans who are saying "Enough!"
02:03 AM on 07/12/2011
Probably the best statement of oft-misstated (by democrats that refuse to try to understand conservatives) core values of what it MEANS to be a conservative ever.
01:48 AM on 07/12/2011
You do realize that government has grown more under Republican presidents than under Democratic presidents? Reagan and GWB presided over periods of large government growth.
12:01 AM on 07/12/2011
cut medicaid funding NOT social security and medicare. Medicaid entitlement were not deducted from the taxpayers pay check. Medicaid Waiver Programs friviously waste our tax dollars. Medicaid is full of uninvestigated waste and fraud. Their policies promote waste and abuse of the system. GET RID OF MEDICAID
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gaydm
Into the great wide open.
06:32 AM on 07/12/2011
We would save bigger money and get better gains in health care if we just outlaw health insurance. I do not wish to pay for health insurance, that has nothing to do with health care. Let all the insurance agents actually get a job doing health care. They waste more money and drive up costs for all of us, for no return in increased health. Health insurance is where the biggest fraud is.
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11:16 PM on 07/11/2011
I think he should change his name to Repetitive Conservative
10:40 PM on 07/11/2011
The Relentless Conservative began his career on HuffPost insisting that "liberals" needed to listen to him.

Is he listening to his readers?

I think he needs us far more than we need him.
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Robert SF
07:34 PM on 07/11/2011
Some people string together long-debunked, cartoonish platitudes, and think they've made a case for something. I do not.
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hstdem
In search of the 4th Estate
07:26 PM on 07/11/2011
Some people speak with hyperbole. I do not.

Some people make things up about others to make themselves sound so mature. I do not.

Some people are snobs but call others they disagree with snobs. I do not.