Folks, we need to examine an issue that comes up time and time again in this forum, and that is the role of the federal government in promoting the well-being of the people.
Some of you are rabidly against the federal government doing almost anything but protecting our shores from foreign invasion. My own position about this is that is a silly phobia and an unwise drag that prevents increasing the well-being of the people.
What really is an acceptable role for the federal government ? I ask you because I would like to examine the whole spectrum of opinions (and that's quite a spectrum !), see what the various arguments are, and refine my own opinion (and maybe yours, though that is doubtful).
The federal government has accomplished an amazing number of things that improve EVERYONE's well-being, and that private enterprise and/or state governments either would not or could not achieve on their own.
How about the intrastate highway system ? That's one. The Tennessee Valley Authority? How about that bit of social engineering that brought millions and millions up from poverty and into the middle class, the G.I. Bill, right after World War II and for decades since then. Programs providing food for children who are on the edge of starvation ?
We have lots of problems right now, but the fact is that government can stimulate activity on important fronts, and (I maintain) should when inactivity threatens us all. I take as an excellent example the issue of climate change. Let's look at one particular application of federal stimulus that could affect us all for the better by keeping food prices down. Look at this article that just came out in The New York Times about climate change, the food supply, and what could be done to maintain or increase our supply of food (and maintain at present levels or lower food's cost) as our climate becomes more and more warm.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/22/opinion/our-coming-food-crisis.html?pagewanted=2&nl=opinion&emc=edit_ty_20130722Doesn't the looming climate situation justify federal action on this front ? If not, why not ? What do you think the effect on inactivity will be on YOU ? Here's a whole list of things that could be accomplished by the federal government that would better the situation of everybody.
Since so many of the Republican members of Congress would surely block any government efforts to improve our situation in the face of coming climate adversity, and since private enterprise is unlikely to accomplish most of these changes, isn't the stance of the Republican Party foolish and counter to the general well-being ?
At what point do you think the Federal government should act ?