I cannot believe I still hear people say they believe government is good. As an attorney I interact with lots of other attorneys. While you would think these are generally smart people, I just heard one of them say that he trusts government officials more that business leaders because in the government people are trying to advance the common good, whereas leaders are motivated merely by profit. A more ignorant understanding of human nature cannot be expressed.
The free market of businesses competing to satisfy consumers because of the possibility of making a profit for doing so creates the most democrat institution possible. Consumers vote every minute on which goods and services they want.
Contrast that with the most dictatorial of institutions: Congress and government agencies enacting rules about which products and services we are allowed or forced to buy.
As an example of the profit motive, here’s a statement taken from Dominion Virginia Power’s website, regarding the damage caused by the recent severe storms in the mid-Atlantic region:
“Given the damage, number of customers affected and extreme heat, we are concerned about the health and safety of our customers,” said Rodney Blevins, vice president of electric distribution operations. “We urge anyone with special needs to seek out a cool location. We also are asking families and friends to assist those with special needs.”
-http://dom.mediaroom.com/2012-06-30-Dominion-Virginia-Power-Restoration-Effort-Focusing-First-On-Public-Safety-Transmission-Lines-Detailed-Damage-Assessments
Consumers want their electric power back as soon as possible. And the profit motive forces the electric power company to fix damage absolutely as soon as possible. Delays not only cause them to lose profit, but delays would subject them to lawsuits that allege harms due to the company’s inattentiveness.
Contrast that with the laws that limit people’s choices. You want to use 100-watt lightbulb? Government dictatorially says, “No! We decide what kinds of lightbulbs you can buy!” You want to buy a certain kind of health in insurance? The government dictatorially says, “No! We decide what health insurance you can buy!” (This is Obamacare.) You want to send your kids to a better school? The government dictatorially says, “No! We decide which school you are allowed to attend!”
Why do some people believe government is good? The only thing I can imagine is that those people love to be told what to do, what to buy, how to behave, or they love to be in power to tell other people what to do, what to buy, how to behave. Common good has little to do with their exercise of power.
Current events reinforce my opinion that living under the power of corrupt politicians who claim they know what is best for the common good is tolerable only if I can amass a whole lot of money to help my personal good.