Here are some examples of government not working. If you would like details on why government programs fail, read Why Government Doesn’t Work by Harry Browne, (St. Martin’s Press – 1995).
Agriculture:
Farm subsidies for grains, tobacco, etc. are always set up to benefit the large farms at the expense of the family farmer. FTC and FDA regulations are also harmful to the family farmer as well as to any farm that is truly trying to produce healthy products such as non-GMO, pesticide free, and herbicide free foods.
Amtrak:
In 1971 the government took over most long distance passenger rail service in the USA. It is virtually without competition yet it needs to be subsidized. If it were very cheap there would be better arguments for it, but often you can fly from point A to point B for less than the Amtrak fare.
Education:
Since the federal government got deeply involved in education America’s students have consistently failed to keep up with students of other developed countries. Once we were tops in math and science. No longer is this true. A large per cent of high school graduates cannot do 8th grade math and/or cannot communicate effectively and intelligently. Many cannot read above an 8th grade level.
Drugs:
Since the federal war on drugs began, drug use has increased. Drug related crime has increased. Just like prohibition, the war on drugs has caused a rise in gangs (mobs) and an increase in violent crime. Although wrong, prohibition was constitutionally legal due to the 18th amendment (which was wisely repealed with the 21st amendment) – the drug war is not legal.
Health Care:
Medicare and Medicaid were instituted to take care of the health issues of the elderly and indigent. If it is so good, why has the current administration proposed a new multi-trillion dollar health plan? It must be a wonderful plan. Why else would the administration push so hard for it?
Government regulations make it hard for a patient to find natural medical care. The AMA (with the governments blessing) controls the medical schools and the medical industry. They (the AMA and government — FDA & FTC) are in bed with the pharmaceutical industry. Thus it has been decreed that no claims may be made for the health benefits of any natural product unless the FTC decides adequate testing has been done. This, even though the benefits of these natural fruits, vegetables, herbs, etc. have been known for centuries.
Military:
We keep getting into wars we can’t win and won’t get out of.
Money:
I am thinking of the bailouts of the past year. Reports come over the media daily about how we are pulling out of the recession. Still, more and more people are losing their jobs only to find jobs that are lower paying – or no job at all. Will the bailouts prevent a depression? I doubt it. Only time will tell. The Cash for Clunkers program did not help the American auto makers as much as it did those from Japan and Korea.
Poverty:
The Johnson administration declared war on poverty. How’s that working out? More and more people are living below the poverty level every year.
Post Office:
The post office has a monopoly on first class letters. In spite of the monopoly it loses money every year.
Social Security:
This plan was going to be called Social Welfare but the name was changed to Social Security. Those in power at the time realized the people of this country would not stand for such a (welfare) program. It is claimed that the intent was never to be a sole retirement plan, but a supplement. This may be true, but when the government takes over 12% of your income, for such a program, it makes it difficult to have anything to save. I know, your pay stub shows only 6.2% being deducted but your employer pays another 6.2% in your name. This is money that could be available to add to your paycheck if the employer did not have to pay it to Uncle Sam. Besides this, it costs the company money to process these transactions in a fashion that suits the government.
Unemployment:
Government programs and tax breaks were instrumental in sending huge numbers of US manufacturing companies overseas to China (and elsewhere) to open plants there and to close plants in the US. Jobs lost that will likely never be regained!
Once a government program is instituted, it is almost impossible to get rid of it. Even if the legislation creating the program has a sunset clause, it is never allowed to die. It is in the best interest of the operators of the program to continue it and make it grow – job security! And if it is failing, well that is because it needs more funding!
It is worth noting that of all the areas listed above, only the post office and the military are even permitted by the constitution. Your government officials, from the president on down, all take an oath to support that very document. You can see how seriously they take that responsibility. A note on the military: the constitution allows for an army and a permanent navy. It was never intended the army be permanent. The constitution prohibits funding it for longer than a two year period.
More Government Won’t Work
Better.