We The Government

Cal Thomas | Syndicated Columnist | Updated: Jul 24, 2009

We The Government

 July 24, 2009 

California is a mess. It has taxed and spent itself into near bankruptcy. The Democratic legislature has reached a budget agreement with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger that includes releasing 27,000 inmates. Los Angeles county officials are threatening to sue the state, and at least one government workers union is threatening a strike because of layoffs.

California is an example of what happens when government does too much and people expect more than it can -- or should -- deliver. The Golden State, it’s called. More like tarnished silver.

Governments everywhere are growing in size and cost and no one seems to be willing to say “enough” or “too much.” It is assumed everything government does is right, good and necessary, when the opposite is true. The power of the individual is ignored as government expansion chokes off our free enterprise system and the spirit of doing for one’s self.

Government never has enough of our money, but it never asks if we have enough. The federal government is hiring thousands of new employees. Where is “we the people” in all this?


Cal Thomas is a nationally syndicated columnist based in Washington, D.C.

We The Government