Lighten the Load

As a society, a people, we ask too much of others. Clearly there are people, through no fault of their own, are unable to care for themselves. The mark of a moral society is how well it cares for them.

Those who need help from society require food, shelter, protection from predators and basic, emergency health care. Society should not be tapped for their recreation, art appreciation and social activities.

Others who do not meet the above criteria have a responsibility to contribute, pay taxes, for the disadvantaged and themselves. Their needs are not the same. They must provide their own food, shelter and be responsible for their own health. Their taxes should be spent on their personal protection, (law enforcement including judges and prisons, fire, emergency medical and national defense) and their property protection through laws that identify and punish theft and fraud.

The government is not responsible nor should friends and neighbors be levied for anyone’s recreation, art enjoyment, sports or recreation. If enough people feel the need for a neighborhood park they should organize to raise the money, build and manage it. Dipping into the pockets of the folks across town is selfish and asking too much of others.

Obviously, this is a low key example but you can apply the analogy to stadiums, golf courses, museums, local recreational centers and, well, you can fill in all the other qualifying activities that people look to others to pay for them.

It is not clear that education should be a required government function. In many cases, parents avoid public education because they feel they can do better – home, parochial and private schooling. It should be obvious that education should be paid for and managed by the lowest conceivable public agency perhaps even further down the chain that the local school board. It must be so to be responsive to the parent’s wishes.

That is not all that will be explored here but it provides a glimpse about the tone and direction of the opinion I will express.

From time to times I will post a piece on some issue, (full and short ones),usually on public policy. In between there will be thoughts and comments, probably not fully formed, inserted as the news inspires me to do so. Mostly though, this blog will attempt to identify and explore ways to “Lighten the Load.”