by Mary Fahnestock-Thomas, Hamilton
So … “big government.”
Do you mean like we have in the USA? It is made up of about 2.1 million civilians whose job it is to help and support all of us in their various departments – the Post Office, defense, agriculture, the judiciary, education, health and human services, natural resources, transportation, veterans affairs, technology, diplomacy, etc., etc. – and in their various capacities, from letter carriers and typists on up to Cabinet members appointed by the President. These jobs are open to all who want them and qualify, and they all include job security, pension, and health insurance benefits (which in turn create more jobs).
And … “small government.”
Like the kind favored by Viktor Orbàn, prime minister of Hungary, and his friend Donald Trump? It is made up of perhaps millions of “loyalists,” that is, folks (esp. men?) who have no expertise but will do whatever “the boss” wants done for money and favors. If you do what he wants, you keep your job a little longer and may discover there are other benefits. But be careful!
Does “small government” mean ordinary citizens are left alone? Are free? As long as they don’t cross anyone in power. Doesn’t sound like freedom to me.
In fact, to me freedom means knowing that 2.1 million other citizens of this country are doing their best to have my back in just about every aspect of my life.
And it means that I can vote for or against a lot of them, depending on whether or not I think they’re responsible and trying to do the right thing.
And it means that yes, things move slowly – slowly enough that if they seem to be taking a direction I don’t like, I can bring that to their attention and resist – you know, without losing my life or anything.
Do please think about these catchy terms and phrases that the GOP loves to throw around.