smaller government

[longspur]

Has there ever been a government in history that downsized itself? Anybody that is really serious about getting rid of unneeded departments and personell get chewed up and spit out by the machine. I just can't see it happening unless we belly up. If that happens what will keep other nations from taking over? We seem to be between a rock and a hard place. I see lots of people wakeing up but there is never anybody to vote for that will take us in the other direction. Not looking good for our children and grandchildren.

[Turkey Trot]

European nations have de-socialized to some extent and reduced the size of govt in the short-run.  I doubt the evidence would show that it remained static as the size of the country's population and economy changed.

New Zealand successfully de-socialized its govt, starting in about 79-80 timeframe and has been relatively successful in keeping it that way.  But I doubt it stayed at its smallest as population and economy grew, and I'm sure that intervening political victory and majority by the other side is always a chance for them to grow it.

Keep in mind that not everyone wants smaller govt.  In the US, the Republicans talk about it a lot, but when have they really delivered?  On occasion the NE big govt RINO's really come through for big govt, like the Bush Admin did with DHS, DNI, No Child Left Behind, Medicare Part D, etc.

[Doug]

Sure there's people to vote for who would downsize gov't.  Unfortunately they mostly run as third party and as long as everybody thinks that voting 3rd party is a waste of a vote, we will continue on the same path we're on live under Democrat rule for awhile until we get sick of getting boned then vote in Republicans for awhile until we get sick of that. 

When it comes to expanding gov't and wasting taxpayer money, there ain't a dimes worth of difference between a D and an R.  A career politician is a career politician and the vast majority are rich enough to be totally out of touch with the rest of us.  That isn't the way it was meant to be.

Was really excited about Ron Paul this time.  I think a lot of people were except for his foreign policy.  Too many in the US cannot comprehend us staying out of other countries' affairs. 

You're right:  not looking good for our future generations.  The one positive thing, and you mentioned it, is that many people are getting fed up and waking up.  Hopefully we the people can stick together and make some real change - for the better.

Just my .02

[savduck]

I dont really think our government is all that big..I just think we got a bunch of millionaires running things thinking about themselves instead of the people. We need to get some middle class guys in there.

We got a bunch of bought and paid for puppets running things

[coyotetrpr]

Not a bulletproof idea, but I think that congress should be like jury duty. No career politicians and names are drawn out of a hat if you will to be voted on. 5 names are drawn for 2 positions and so on. This way the people get a say and the rich don't always control the government. Like I said this is just an opinion, but I think that few would argue that major changes are needed.

[Turkey Trot]

I dont really think our government is all that big..

Are you being serious? 

Name a field of human activity in which the govt is not involved from the time a person is born until he dies.

We have added over 200,000 federal employees since 2006.

Something like 16mm people work for govt at all levels nationwide.  Compare the number of govt employees to total population in 1950 to the present.   

Govt spending accounts for over 20% of GDP.

Compare the size of the United States Code in 1950 to the present, and compare the composite federal regulations in 1950 to the present.

[savduck]

I'm talking about the ones that run things ( the prez, senate, house, and supreme court) and make decisions and laws.

Not talking about workers. You add them in, yeah it's a lot. Here is the numbers.


http://www.opm.gov/feddata/historicaltables/totalgovernmentsince1962.asp