Reentry

Several years ago I was into blogging big time. Then I became lazy. Rather than blog myself, I read and commented on the blogs of others. Finally, I have seen the light. I am blogging again as if anyone gave a rat's hoot.

Blogging to me is cathartic. Even though the writings buzz off into cyber space, probably never to be seen, probably never to be read. Nonetheless, the act of writing salves the soul. Anyway, it salves my soul.

So let's start with something that is on my mind. Layers of government. Before I begin on the many layers of government here in the United States, first, let me describe my political philosophy.

I stand in the middle ...maybe with somewhat of a lean to the left. I believe government has a purpose. It serves as a protector of our citizens from those within who would trample individual rights and our country from those outside our borders who would trample our nation. It can be of immense value to those in need. Sometimes it can get in the way. But overall, government has a role to be performed. I am for government performing the role of helping its constituents, especially those least able to help themselves.

With all that being said about my belief in the need for government, runaway government is not included in what is required to administer our small patch of the world. Boiled down to the individual perspective peering upwards you must look through multiple, overlapping layers to see the top of government.

If I just look at the microcosm of my state, my county, my municipality, my gated community, I see four layers of government, much that is duplicative in services provided, regulations and rules enacted. In close examination of local government, there are too many bureaucrats in place to steer the ship of community, of city, of county, of state. The consequence of all these layers of government is a constant clashing of motives, demands of citizens, and confused outcomes in services rendered.

Just a simple example of overlapping layers is our police departments. Do we really need a city police department, a sheriff's office, the state police, the state bureau of law enforcement, nationally, the FBI and probably others within the Homeland Security Department that are not readily apparent? Another example: When 911 is dialed for a medical emergency, should the fired department respond with a fire engine, the police in a cruiser, and the EMS in an ambulance? Duplication even within the same local government.

We can have smarter government. There is no law preventing it, but there is politics as an obstacle. Different political ideologies and embedded self-interest compound the problem of exercising rational government.

In future blogs, we will explore government ...beginning with local government, but when we solve that problem we'll move on to state, national and maybe even venture into the governments of the world. Stay tuned.