Whether our government is doing a good job or a bad job is often in the eye of the beholder.
It's strange how an institution whose "accomplish- ments" should be objectively analyzed and based on statistics but, instead, on a regular basis, is subjectively praised.
I suppose the vocal supporters are often recipients of benefits and could possibly be afraid of biting the lion on the tail by complaining.
Or perhaps they have simply been duped by media lackeys who are in the Establishment's pocket while not realizing that many of these messengers are also fearful of causing a stir.
Before I continue, I believe the premise for many of these government benefits is good.
Many of them were created for those who are legitimately down on their luck as a temporary assistance and eventual bridge to a better life.
However, as we have all seen, a plethora of people have been taught and have bought into the story that they can just live off these benefits indefinitely while the remainder of the tax-paying public foot the bill.
Of course, as some of you would surely expect, I also believe that many of these programs were purposely created as another way to make people dependent on the "benevolent" bureaucracy.
To form an illusion that the government actually cares for its citizens (beyond simply sustaining them for its own needs) so that people will feel obligated to serve their master without reservation.
Whichever the case may be, one thing is certain: Our government, at basically any level, is a constant failure.
We've all heard stories of irresponsibility like the $3,000 screwdriver or the municipality who throws away perfectly good materials just so they won't jeopardize future benefits.
All pretty incredible stuff since it is usually you or I who receive the notice of payment for this folly in the form of some kind of taxation or through inflation.
I will never forget a case here on Long Island a few years ago where we had one of the snowiest winters on record.
According to the news, the expenses for hiring sand and salt trucks exceeded the budget by seven years! My question was obvious: "What happened to the money that was supposed to be laid aside for the previous seven years? You know, that which was supposed to be kept safely during less snowy seasons in the event of a possible future very snowy one.
" The answer, though it was never heard on any major or local network or newspaper, was just as obvious: "We needed to spend it on something so that we could prove our case in needing it again the next year.
" Phooey.
What is even worse is that if you or I were in charge of a department in our company where our job security depended on fiscal responsibility and we pulled the same shenanigans, we would likely be fired.
Particularly if it was constant or repetitive.
However, what happens when Congress, for example, gambles with our money and consistently loses? They give themselves a raise! And we are the ones who technically sign the new paychecks! Absolutely amazing! Our Founding Fathers established us as a Republic.
As a result, though they knew that "some" government is good -and needed- they also knew that limited (and responsible) government was the best recipe for our nation's success.
This includes such things as a solid police force and fire department and other personnel to be put in charge of emergency situations.
The building and repairing of roads.
The defense of our borders, as opposed to sending most of our troops thousands of miles away to meddle in other nations' affairs while leaving us vulnerable on the home front.
Yet it did not take long for our government to grab the proverbial baton and stumble on the track because they had tied their shoestrings together.
These are the people who many trust to "take care" of us.
To me, that is similar to leaving your newborn in the weekend care of your 19 year old crackhead brother who hasn't held down a real job in his life.
Maybe it's time for Uncle Sam to point his finger back at himself and become responsible for his actions.
Maybe it's time for us to hold him accountable before the red, white, and blue on his garb completely fade out from the wind and rain of corruption and irresponsibility.
Just maybe it's time.