© 2013 Michael Swickard, Ph.D. How fortunate for governments that the people they administer don’t think. Adolf Hitler
I would not like to live in a society with no government at all nor a society where the government acts with tyranny. Which would I prefer? That is like asking, would I rather be shot at sunrise or sunset? In-between anarchy and tyranny is where I want to live.
In theory, that is where we are in this country. We have a functioning government and it does not use tyranny on us citizens. A Representative Republic is free of tyranny yet protects us from anarchy. In theory.
The legitimate role of government in a free society is to provide government services like the military that is necessary. There would not be a country without our military to keep the dogs of other countries away. Take enough from the military and countries of evil intent will come after us.
Government is good at some things. Still, I do not want government nosing into everything I do. Much is none of their business. More important is that my elected servants not command me. The role reversal where my elected servants tell me what to do is obnoxious at best and treasonous at worst.
That balance is further complicated by the notion of public service. In theory the reason to be in public service is to serve and make our society better. In theory, if I am a representative by, of and for the people I believe in causes that are greater than myself. I should do my work for the greater good of the society and not just myself. President John Kennedy said, “My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”
Our government now seems to have little connection with the founding leaders. Can you imagine the first Congress not producing a budget for four years or the news media of that day giving them a pass on doing their duty? Can you imagine the first Congress becoming overtly powerful and wealthy in service of the country? Consider the wealth of just retired Senator Jeff Bingaman. What was his wealth when he went to Congress, what was he paid in his thirty years of service and how wealthy is he now?
The Washington Post published Bingaman’s wealth in 2010 at $16.3 million. He built his wealth on a salary under $200 thousand a year for thirty years which before taxes is $6 million. It is not surprising to most Americans that our elected servants find ways of getting rich.
Senator Bingaman became wealthy while doing my business in Congress but I must ask: is there any law against becoming wealthy while serving? Oh, yes, Congress makes the laws. Does everyone in Congress get wealthy? Not all, but there does seem to be a trend. Likewise, the New Mexico Legislature is a place to hang out and become wealthy in a quiet way.
What interests me the most are the questions: which of our leaders believe in causes greater than themselves and how do we measure those beliefs? Now we are getting to the nut of our distrust in government. They make rules for us but not themselves. They go to Congress with small bank accounts and come home rich.
Is this the legitimate role of government to enrich those who sit in the halls of Congress and the New Mexico Legislature? Further, any attempt at looking carefully at their ability to become wealthy while a servant of the people is not supported by those same leaders.
Hitler nailed it with his quote: “How fortunate for governments that the people they administer don’t think.” Would we let those people be our masters if we were a thinking people? I think not. What to do? I vote a reasoned vote but am constantly out-voted by what seems unthinking voters.
On-books and off-books the “Present value” of our debts in our country are nearly 200 Trillion dollars and we are arguing about cutting 100 billion by sequestration. It will not make any difference. Yep, Hitler got it right about how fortunate those leaders are to be leading our country.
Dr. Michael Swickard is co-host of radio talk show News New Mexico 6 to 9 a.m. Monday - Friday on a number of New Mexico radio stations and through streaming. Email: michael@swickard.com
