David Brooks recently published an interesting article, "A Bushian Laboratory." It ran in the NY Times on September 18 and in the Roanoke Times on September 22. In the article Mr. Brooks makes the assertion that "compassionate conservatism" is actually "big government conservatism" and that this new George Bush will transform the Gulf Region. It will be a "a laboratory for the Bushian vision of energetic but not domineering government."
Let me try to understand what part of the government that we've had for the last five years is not domineering. Just to be clear, domineer means the following, "To rule with insolence or arbitrary sway; to play the master; to be overbearing; to tyrannize; to bluster; to swell with conscious superiority or haughtiness."
Perhaps I've missed the overwhelmingly humble spirit of government in the last few years, but the truth is that this as been anything but a humble period of government. I think there is little doubt that we have lived through one of the most domineering governments in the recent history of our country that is unless you're well connected enough to be enjoying the influence that you have managed to buy.
This government was certainly energetic in protecting the names of the people on Cheney's secret Energy Task Force. I wonder if five dollars a gallon gasoline was on the agenda. Unfortunately we'll never know, but seeing much higher fuel costs is a certainty.
We've used our military superiority to turn most of our allies to at best concerned friends who are seriously wondering what has happened to a dependable participant in the complex arena of world politics. We redefined torture so that it is permissible. Then there is always the Patriot Act which helps to soothe away any cares that I might have before I fall asleep at night. I take great comfort in the thought that the terrorist training ground we've created in Iraq has stretched our military to the point that our all volunteer Army is in danger. Knowing the National Guard which should be at home with all its equipment has now become an arm of foreign policy keeps me from worrying about regional disasters.
With unbelievable arrogance and changing stories, we continue to try to justify a war that previous presidents from both parties knew was impossible to win. If government has become energetic, it is appears the most energy is expended in trying to manage reality so they can stay in power and curry favor to those who helped them get in power.
This certainly isn't just a Republican problem, the Democrats are just as guilty. For years both parties have been "down sizing" government by taking actual government employees off the books and turning their work over to government contractors. Spending continues to rise since there's the same work to be done, but someone also has to make a profit on it. In order to win that work, companies send enormous sums hiring the very people who ran the organizations which can bestow millions upon millions of dollars on private companies. It's little wonder that these contracts often follow in the tracks of those government officials. Government hasn't really gotten smaller or smarter, it's been outsourced and made far more complex than it needs to be with more people doing the same job for even more money.
The one unarticulated goal that you can guarantee will be achieved is the re-election of incumbents. Beyond that as we have seen, the placing of political cronies in key positions knows no bounds.
In this new energetic government, shouldn't competence be the first order of business. If that's the case what is Karl Rove, the master of political planning and the destroyer of anyone who dares challenge the administration, doing in charge of the largest federal reconstruction effort ever? Last I checked there was still an ongoing investigation into Rove's role in the leak of a CIA agent's name.
Then there is whole issue of trusting this government to spend our money wisely in this effort to transform this "disaster zone of urban liberalism" which used to be known as the Gulf Coast. The natural disaster that the Gulf Coast has faced is unlikely to be fixed when the cronyism of Bush's world combines with the well established cronyism and corruption dating back to the days of Huey Long.
Last I checked the top White House procurement official, David Safavian, had to resign this week due to "repeated false statements to government officials" regarding an investigation into influence peddling. I take great comfort that his wife, who may be a very nice and competent lady, is the chief council for the Government Reform committee which reporters are guessing will be in charge of the post Katrina investigation. Perhaps the Government Reform committee needs to first investigate itself or at least show us how they have reformed government for the better in the last few years.
The problem isn't liberalism or conservatism, Democrat or Republican, the problem is the lack of passionate belief in government and the mission of government to provide services to the people, whether directly or indirectly. There are plenty of good contractors out there, just as there are plenty of dedicated government employees. We just need competent, caring, hard working managers with the power to make things happen for the good of the people who have kept this government going with their hard earned dollars.
Unfortunately neither party seems to be able to govern well for the benefit of the people who are paying their salaries. The best levees have been erected around the incumbency of our current politicians and the interests of those who got them to power and who spend ever increasing dollars to keep them in power.
Mr. Brooks did get one thing right, and it's a very big thing.
Our President has yet to resolve, the "contradiction between his compassionate spending policy and his small-government tax policy." Just to make certain that our future is as bleak as that of a New Orleans' levee, Congress has also shown no fiscal responsibility.
That dual lack of prudence just may just be the biggest disaster of all.
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