The Defining Issue: Not Government’s Size, but Who It’s For (Robert Reich)

[ProSense]

The Defining Issue: Not Government’s Size, but Who It’s For

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But the surge of cynicism now engulfing America isn’t about government’s size. The cynicism comes from a growing perception that government isn’t working for average people. It’s for big business, Wall Street, and the very rich instead.

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Get it? “Big government” isn’t the problem. The problem is big money is taking over government.

Here’s what Congressman Paul Ryan told me Sunday morning when we were debating all this on ABC’s “This Week”:

If the power and money are going to be here in Washington, that’s where the influence is going to go … that’s where the powerful are going to go to influence it.

Ryan has it upside down. A smaller government that’s still dominated by money would continue to do the bidding of Wall Street, the pharmaceutical industry, oil companies, big agribusiness, big insurance, military contractors, and rich individuals.

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http://robertreich.org/post/14480589454

[JustAnotherGen]

1. And Mr. Reich

Is 100% correct in his statement!

[ProfessionalLeftist]

2. Absolutely. n/t

[thucythucy]

3. Those who advocate for "a small federal government"

in the name of civil liberties seem to forget that some of the greatest abuses came at the hands of local authorities. Slavery, "the Black Codes," Jim Crow were all instances of state government oppression, while the Salem witch trials started at the village level. Often, there is nothing quite so oppressive as a small town out to get one of its citizens for being "different."

Or maybe they're not forgetting at all?

[JustAnotherGen]

5. Agree with you

They are NOT forgetting at all.

[Laelth]

4. k&r for the truth. n/t

-Laelth

[meow2u3]

6. Robert Reich is right

Big government isn't the problem; big money is.