That Government Which Governs Least
While government is the means by which most problems can be solved, government can go too far in its inclination to solve problems. That's what brought John L. Sullivan to say, “The best government is that which governs least.” Through the years, that saying has been refined to the more polished, "That government which governs least, governs best"-- words we've come to rally around. Truth be told, though, those words are not always true. Yes, government can go too far. Yes, it does stick its nose where it shouldn't at times. But to make an all-cases claim that the less government there is, the better, is wrong. And we should be wise enough to see that.

Government Is Not the Problem

A post on Facebook comes along, saying: "Mamdami: There is no problem too large for government to solve and no concern too small to care about. Me: Government is the problem."

Did Mamdani say that? There may be a little truth to what he says. Maybe even a lot. Government has the power to solve just about any problem. And without government, some -- maybe a lot -- of those problems are not going to get solved. Government is like a rope tossed out to drowning souls. Unfortunately, we've been taught to reject the rope. "Government is the problem," we yell back. If we want our problems solved, we better learn to accept the rope.

 

An Emergency

The poor might need some food.

They might need something to eat.

But Donald Trump says no—

He gives them not bread nor meat.

The government shutdown shuts them down,

Or did, until a court said no.

The court ruled to feed the poor,

For their kids need food to grow.

Donald Trump appealed that.

He took it to the Supreme Court.

He asked for an emergency ruling,

Wanting the food to be cut short.

An emergency, an emergency—

To make sure people don't eat?

Donald Trump might think it's cool,
But we don't think it's neat.