Big Bad "Gumint"

“Government is the enemy.” This statement is attributed to Ronald Reagan. It’s not listed as such on the internet, but he’s been quoted as saying the same thing in different words many times. In any case it has since become the mantra of the right wing or Republicans, take your pick.

As a card carrying Democrat I tend to take issue with almost anything these folks say. But on this one I must admit they have a good point. Take the government of Arizona please. Its recently passed immigration law is obviously inimical to anyone with a swarthy complexion who looks Mexican, particularly if the person is driving. The government of Virginia was stopped just in time by cooler heads from requiring all women planning abortions to view the fetus, even if it’s the product of her being raped. Michigan has passed a law allowing a complete takeover by the state of cities in financial distress.

Local government is no shining light either. Remember the New York City law that confiscated on the spot the car of anyone accused of driving under the influence of alcohol, with due process to follow at some later date? Its current stop and frisk law is outrageous. Most of us have a laundry list of local laws that range from jokes to atrocities.

In parts of the nation local government rests with the county, rather than its cities. I know of some which can make for good fun, the county in the Florida Panhandle where I spent the first fifteen years of my adult life for one. It was dry, but in name only. I could get a bottle of bonded liquor at any hour by waking up one of several bootleggers, and at a price cheaper than liquor stores charged after the county voted wet. Many a family was nourished by the proceeds from the production of “white lightning.” As you might expect the most important elective office was sheriff.

Polk County, in a populated area near Tampa, was an interesting case.  It stayed dry for years, which probably didn’t please the locals, other than those who had been paid for their votes.* Of course it was a bonanza to the owners of the many liquor stores that surrounded the county.

OK.  I know The Great Communicator and his acolytes had federal government in mind. Some awful laws and decisions have come from Washington, all the wars in the last fifty years, including the one on drugs for openers. But I’ve seen some doozies from Hartford and West Haven too. Whether we’re talking national, state or local, there have to be rules. The “Wild West” is long gone, NRA rumblings to the contrary. Making and enforcing these rules is done by government. When there is conflict over jurisdiction, the Constitution gives primacy to the federal branch, a good thing if the federal and Arizona immigration laws are any indication. I’m sorry righties. If you’re going to get all worked up about government you can’t be picky, choosy and logical at the same time.

*The going price in our small county was a pair of shoes.

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