Government Run
August 19th, 2009 § Leave a Comment
As I have been watching the healthcare debate play out I find it interesting that the word “government” is being used as a pejorative by those opposed to health care reform. I thought I’d offer these observations about those so opposed to government.
The protesters at the town hall meetings likely woke up that morning and turned on their TV or radios (whose airwaves are regulated by a government agency to ensure that broadcasters don’t interfere with one another and everyone uses the same standards). Then maybe they fired up their computer and got on the Internet (originally created by a government agency) to check their email. Then they go to their coffee maker (regulated by a government commission so it doesn’t start a fire or electrocute them) and get their morning cup of joe.
After getting in the shower (using water provided by a government run utility) they go to their closet and turn on the light switch (which allows electricity from a government regulated utility) to light their light so they can find their clothes. After getting dressed, they hop in their car (also regulated by a government agency to ensure it meets safety standards) and pull out onto the (government designed, funded and maintained) roadway. As they head to the meeting, they pass the new (government funded and maintained) fire station and the city park (also government funded and maintained).
Meanwhile their thoughts turn to their children’s school (also government funded) and think about the new school year and their child’s new teacher (government employee). They probably thought it interesting that their child’s new teacher went to the same (government funded) state university as they did. What a small world it is.
Later our protester passed the new shopping center (whose operator received tax incentives to build it, as well as government provided water, sewer and road infrastructure to support it) and wondered if there would be a drug store in it. That drug store would carry products (regulated by a government agency for safety) that would be so convenient to buy just down the street from home.
As our protester’s trip progressed, they passed a police officer (government agent) who arrested a dangerous drunk driver. That officer will later take the arrested person to jail (a government facility) where they will be remanded until they make bond and eventually get a court date in a court (also paid for by the government). At least this dangerous drunk driver won’t endanger our protester’s trip. Hopefully the prosecutor (government agent) will convince the judge (another government agent) to throw the book at him and the scofflaw will have to do time in prison (government facility) before he kills someone.
Before getting to the meeting, our protester thinks about their vacation and how nice it will be to get on a plane (also regulated and controlled by the government) and take a flight leaving the local airport (funded and maintained by the government) instead of having to drive further away to the other airport (also government funded and maintained). While they ponder this they pass a billboard recruiting young men and women into our military (government funded) to “defend our freedom”. The billboard promises incentives like the GI Bill (government program) to pay for college as well as health care (government run) and retirement benefits (government run) to those who join.
Now our protester arrives at the convention center (government funded and maintained) and pulls their protest signs out of their trunk. The sign rails against the “evils” of the government and how they want the government out of their lives.
Shalom,
Scott D
