Government? ... It is us. Part One
November 10th, 2004
(as published in the Aitkin Independent Age Newspaper)
In 2001, former Harvard president, Derek Bok, wrote , "Americans tend to get the government they deserve."
On Oct. 16, the Aitkin City Council discussed the disappointing lack of public interest in the council's buisiness. What connects these anecdotes is their common underlying thrust. Bok uncovered widespread apathy for the public sector, work that led to his book, The Trouble with Government. The reason for the city council¹s debate was the lack of candidates seeking positions on the council. Both events reveal a uniquely American trait. Democracy is not one of our priorities. Last week¹s presidential vote, despite the widely praised turnout, was the 11th consecutive time that no candidate beat the non-voters.
According to USA Today, 82.6 million eligible voters failed to show up. This is 40 percent more than the record vote for the re-elected George W. Bush. Congratulations to Mr. Bush and the Republican Party for securing the White House, and both houses of Congress, an impressive result. In addition the Supreme Court consists of seven Republican appointees. This outcome will test the protections the Founding Fathers provided in their creation of the separation of powers in our constitution.
Democrats had reasons to be optimistic. The polls were even, the debates favored Mr. Kerry, and a heavy turnout by young voters seemed imminent. It wasn¹t to be. Republicans kept reminding us of our twin fears of terrorist attacks and of gays wanting to enter matrimony. Osama bin Laden also appeared at the last moment, calculating that his favorite recruiter would be the ultimate beneficiary. History's perfect record prevailed and no sitting president has yet to be ousted during wartime.
Crowe's right jabs
I was accused on Oct. 20 of lobbying for war on Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. On the contrary, I simply pointed out that behavior of those two countries was far more dangerous to us than any intentions Saddam Hussein may have had. Lacking grounds for war on the Saudi¹s or the Pakistanis, we had no justification to use force for a lesser threat. Rob disparaged my credibility by claiming comments about drug companies getting corporate welfare were unsupported. Excuse me Rob, but when our government stops free market action and the result is propping up drug prices, that's corporate welfare. The estimated cost to taxpayers is $138 billion. Furthermore, stopping commerce in drugs from Canada or Europe is also welfare in the form of artificial barriers to free trade.
Rob cites the Wall Street Journal and their pathetic claim that Hillary Clinton is to blame for our flu vaccine shortage. If the editorial page of the WSJ is so concerned with our health care system, I have a number of questions for them. Why is it that no country on earth is adopting our system of health care? Why are no countries with universal systems having any problem providing vaccines to their citizens? Why are over half the hospitals reporting that vaccine distributors are trying to rip them off with prices up to ten times the normal? And if Canada and Germany have inferior systems, why are we importing from them to cover our shortfalls?
Rob also claimed that my credibility fails because of unwillingness to document the sources for my earlier (Sept. 29) column about the dreadful ranking of American children compared to peer democracies. Rob, if you reread my column you will see I laid responsibility on all American adults, not any particular political party. (The data was collected over the past decade, and I will send you the list of sources in order to save space here.) My point was that John Kerry promised more remedial action in his platform to extend health care coverage, to raise the minimum wage and to correct the under funding for the Leave No Child Behind law. There is another reason I have little confidence in the Republicans to improve America¹s most hostile child environment.
While doing my research for a manuscript a few years ago, a friend in the State legislature arranged an interview with a Minnesota Republican party leader. I wanted a Republican¹s reply to the overwhelming evidence that we are harming our precious future. After patiently listening to my review of the facts, he responded, "David, children who are victims of failed personal responsibility are not my problem, nor are they the problem for our government." (emphasis added) My reaction was a mix of disbelief and disappointment. At that time I was a guardian ad litem for Hennepin County, a program tending to the needs of more than 5,000 children. Facing horrible conditions not of their making, these kids were under the protection of juvenile court for abuse and/or neglect. This GOP leader is not a hard line right winger. At the time of my interview he was majority leader of the Minnesota House. Today he is our Governor, the honorable Tim Pawlenty.
David Strand is secretary of the Aitkin County DFL Club. After hacking around the front nine of life, he tells stories to his granchildren en route back to the clubhouse.
