Size Matters
Published in the The Times 10-Oct-13 & The Star 13-Oct-13
So now the government’s embroiled in yet another bitter showdown over a shutdown with a fury of finger-pointing. But funding Obamacare or the government in general are really not the issues. These are merely symptoms of a larger issue – the size of the federal government itself.
In saying the government’s too big, I mean it’s trying to do too much. Not unlike yourself, if you try to do more than you’re able or more than you should or more than you can afford, you’ll have problems. The difference is that if you fail at something, only you or your family will suffer, but if the government fails at something, many or all of its citizens will suffer. You are held accountable by your consequences, but those governing don’t feel the same burden. They feel they can simply raise taxes, raise the debt ceiling, play shell games or blame others.
To provide some measure of government accountability, a certain amount of checks, balances, transparency and debate are needed. This necessitates some bureaucracy to help stave off rash, short-sighted or tyrannical laws from wreaking havoc on society. Try to funnel too much through that system or make it do what it shouldn’t and you’ll have trouble –such as keeping the government from doing what it should do. No wonder many are seemingly frustrated that government is inefficient or takes too long to get things done.
Further complicating this is that a sprawling government has an inherently thick pyramid structure that adds cost and layers of bureaucracy resulting in even more inefficiency. Last year, almost half of the over 2 million federal employees consisted of executives, managers, supervisors and administrative support. These folks make up the more expensive half, costing taxpayers nearly $83 billion annually.
In saying the government’s too big, I mean it’s trying to do too much. Not unlike yourself, if you try to do more than you’re able or more than you should or more than you can afford, you’ll have problems. The difference is that if you fail at something, only you or your family will suffer, but if the government fails at something, many or all of its citizens will suffer. You are held accountable by your consequences, but those governing don’t feel the same burden. They feel they can simply raise taxes, raise the debt ceiling, play shell games or blame others.
To provide some measure of government accountability, a certain amount of checks, balances, transparency and debate are needed. This necessitates some bureaucracy to help stave off rash, short-sighted or tyrannical laws from wreaking havoc on society. Try to funnel too much through that system or make it do what it shouldn’t and you’ll have trouble –such as keeping the government from doing what it should do. No wonder many are seemingly frustrated that government is inefficient or takes too long to get things done.
Further complicating this is that a sprawling government has an inherently thick pyramid structure that adds cost and layers of bureaucracy resulting in even more inefficiency. Last year, almost half of the over 2 million federal employees consisted of executives, managers, supervisors and administrative support. These folks make up the more expensive half, costing taxpayers nearly $83 billion annually.
Another issue regarding an obese federal government is its inability to handle situations effectively. In an attempt to address the regional and demographical needs of a diverse society, legislation, processes and implementation become immensely complicated and inefficient. Consequently, they’re also very rigid and cumbersome, hindering their ability to respond adequately or uniquely to changes in the population or economy.
Furthermore, when you’re deciding on what or how to do something in your home, you and your spouse do so (perhaps with some debate) and go on. But the government must get groups of politicians together from various parties and interests to agree on something. The more they have to vote on, the more potential for disagreement. The more interests, agendas and reputations are at stake, the more the risk of lying and corruption. |
Another problem with a vast government is that somewhere in the bowels of legislation and agencies, numerous decisions must be made about the many things it’s trying to do. And when people make decisions, they’re based upon a value or belief system. That means a government must assume such a belief system and consequently subject citizens to it, over-riding private beliefs. By its nature, large government effectively establishes its own religious belief system and is increasingly intolerant of any practical religious freedom which is a threat to freedom in general.
So if you want to see more political dysfunction, higher taxes, a destabilizing and immoral national debt, more government programs we can’t afford, more government corruption and less freedom, then keep voting for people who will expand the government with political “solutions”. Keep the federal government small, simple and focused; then many of these symptomatic problems will be minimized naturally.
So if you want to see more political dysfunction, higher taxes, a destabilizing and immoral national debt, more government programs we can’t afford, more government corruption and less freedom, then keep voting for people who will expand the government with political “solutions”. Keep the federal government small, simple and focused; then many of these symptomatic problems will be minimized naturally.
~~~ Additional commentary below was not included in the published versions ~~~
Not surprisingly, the Bible provides much divine wisdom for proper government, leadership & life in general. It also provides examples of both wise & poor government. Therefore, you need to look no further than the Bible to find warnings regarding government abuses. When the Israelites sought to trust in a government instead of God, God warned them what would happen. Since God remains perfectly the same & mankind’s depravity continues, the warning still holds true.
And the Lord said to Samuel…Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will claim as his rights.”
Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking him for a king. He said, “This is what the king who will reign over you will claim as his rights: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots and horses, and they will run in front of his chariots. Some he will assign to be commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and others to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and still others to make weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants. He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants. Your male and female servants and the best of your cattle and donkeys he will take for his own use. He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves. When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, but the Lord will not answer you in that day.”
But the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.” - 1 Sam 8.7, 9-20
Not surprisingly, the Bible provides much divine wisdom for proper government, leadership & life in general. It also provides examples of both wise & poor government. Therefore, you need to look no further than the Bible to find warnings regarding government abuses. When the Israelites sought to trust in a government instead of God, God warned them what would happen. Since God remains perfectly the same & mankind’s depravity continues, the warning still holds true.
And the Lord said to Samuel…Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will claim as his rights.”
Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking him for a king. He said, “This is what the king who will reign over you will claim as his rights: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots and horses, and they will run in front of his chariots. Some he will assign to be commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and others to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and still others to make weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants. He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants. Your male and female servants and the best of your cattle and donkeys he will take for his own use. He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves. When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, but the Lord will not answer you in that day.”
But the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.” - 1 Sam 8.7, 9-20
Please don’t get the idea that Christianity is anti-government. Not so. When there is no government, there is disorder & injustice. But God is a God of order & justice (1 Cor 14.33, Ps 89.14) & He expects people & government to operate accordingly. The Bible upholds government & God sets a high standard for those governing. Scripture also recognizes the place of paying taxes (Mk 12.13-17, Rom 13.6-7) & commends submission to & prayer for government authorities (Rom 13.1-5, 1 Tim 2.1-4).
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people —for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. – 1 Tim 2.1-4
But if proper government provides order & justice, then poor government (like no government) is one that fosters disorder & injustice. For a government to provide true justice, it is assumed that right & wrong are already externally defined by our Creator (as the Declaration of Independence properly states). When a government attempts to establish its own morality apart from God, injustice will soon follow. In a constitutional republic, it is incumbent on the citizens to hold their government accountable. This is why the founding fathers gave us the Bill of Rights – to protect Americans from government abuses. Citizen apathy will only lead to enslavement to a burdensome government (Pr 12.24).
Then there’s the principle of stewardship. If you’re entrusted with something & do well with it, you have proven trustworthy of more. But if you fail with what you already have, you do not deserve anything further or even what you already have (Mt 25.29, Pr 17.16). In the context of a representative government, it goes like this: You fail at managing the government & taxes, you do not get any more & perhaps should not remain in office.
From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. – Lk 12.48b
And certainly, all the passages apply which speak to money, debt, work, justice, responsibility, morality, etc. They are applicable because they are God's unchanging & unavoidable truth. Here are a few examples:
Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people. – Pr 14.34
Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor. – Pr 12.24
The lips of a king speak as an oracle, and his mouth does not betray justice… Kings detest wrongdoing, for a throne is established through righteousness. – Pr 16.10, 12
Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool—how much worse lying lips to a ruler! – Pr 17.7
Many curry favor with a ruler, and everyone is the friend of one who gives gifts. – Pr 19.6
One who has no sense shakes hands in pledge and puts up security for a neighbor. – Pr 17.18
Of what use is money in the hand of a fool, since he has no desire to get wisdom? – Pr 17.16
The wicked freely strut about when what is vile is honored among men. – Ps 12.8
There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death. – Pr 14.12
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people —for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. – 1 Tim 2.1-4
But if proper government provides order & justice, then poor government (like no government) is one that fosters disorder & injustice. For a government to provide true justice, it is assumed that right & wrong are already externally defined by our Creator (as the Declaration of Independence properly states). When a government attempts to establish its own morality apart from God, injustice will soon follow. In a constitutional republic, it is incumbent on the citizens to hold their government accountable. This is why the founding fathers gave us the Bill of Rights – to protect Americans from government abuses. Citizen apathy will only lead to enslavement to a burdensome government (Pr 12.24).
Then there’s the principle of stewardship. If you’re entrusted with something & do well with it, you have proven trustworthy of more. But if you fail with what you already have, you do not deserve anything further or even what you already have (Mt 25.29, Pr 17.16). In the context of a representative government, it goes like this: You fail at managing the government & taxes, you do not get any more & perhaps should not remain in office.
From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. – Lk 12.48b
And certainly, all the passages apply which speak to money, debt, work, justice, responsibility, morality, etc. They are applicable because they are God's unchanging & unavoidable truth. Here are a few examples:
Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people. – Pr 14.34
Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor. – Pr 12.24
The lips of a king speak as an oracle, and his mouth does not betray justice… Kings detest wrongdoing, for a throne is established through righteousness. – Pr 16.10, 12
Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool—how much worse lying lips to a ruler! – Pr 17.7
Many curry favor with a ruler, and everyone is the friend of one who gives gifts. – Pr 19.6
One who has no sense shakes hands in pledge and puts up security for a neighbor. – Pr 17.18
Of what use is money in the hand of a fool, since he has no desire to get wisdom? – Pr 17.16
The wicked freely strut about when what is vile is honored among men. – Ps 12.8
There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death. – Pr 14.12
While all this is true, we can do nothing apart from God’s intervention. God superintends all things & even uses bad government & leaders in various situations for His sovereign purposes (Eccl 7.14, Pr 16.4, 21.1). God wants us to depend on Him. And God wants to help us, but He wants us to want Him more – more than even proper government or a utopian society. If you want to know how you can know this Awesome God & have eternal life with Him, click here. If you already do know Him, then pray (Jas 5.16, 1 Tim 2.1-4) & then pray some more!
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. – Mt 6.33
The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord; he is their stronghold in time of trouble.
The Lord helps them and delivers them;he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him. – Ps 37.39-40
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. – Mt 6.33
The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord; he is their stronghold in time of trouble.
The Lord helps them and delivers them;he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him. – Ps 37.39-40