I realize that we do have to use our govt to provide some public essentials like legal process, roads, etc. Why? Because sometimes it’s just too difficult to arrange for these things to be managed the way we like through private parties. It’s convenient to have a broad framework already set up for the “little people” (that’s you and me) to go about our personal goals of making our lives happier and more fulfilling.
But we also have to be realistic about what we are doing when we cede control from private parties to the govt. The govt is just a bunch of politicians, supported by professional bureaucrats and special interest lobbyists. They are not (all) evil, but I don’t feel like giving them the keys to the kingdom either. And yes, I know the private parties are dominated by (evil) bankers and other people we don’t like, but we are all private parties. Would you rather give up all of your limited freedoms to ensure that the fat rich guy next door had none too?
I would love to see all the nasty bankers get their comeuppance by having all govt support withdrawn. Then the bad banks would collapse, and the good banks would grow like gangbusters. Some very cozy relationships would be disrupted, and some very comfortable people would feel pain. By and large, the careless and irresponsible would lose the most, and responsible and careful people would do well. Suits me. But I don’t want the govt involved for any longer than it needs to be. We only need govt involvement for a long time if we plan to subsidize the irresponsible.
