Saturday, March 10, 2012

Limit the Job of the Federal Government

"I'm a Democrat. But I believe what Republican Abraham Lincoln believed: That government should do for people only what they cannot do better by themselves, and no more." ~ President Barack Obama 2012 State of the Union Address

The Federal government should focus on three core areas which government is uniquely qualified to do well. Here are the (only) three things that the Federal government should do:


  • Foreign Policy -  The Federal government is the appropriate organization to represent the U.S. with foreign governments since each state can't develop a separate policy.  Also, the Federal government should define treaties and policies that benefit the country and its citizens.



  • Defense.The Federal government is the right organization to maintain armed forces, declare war and defend the country against foreign intrusions. 



  • Interstate Commerce.  The Federal government should regulate commerce between the states.  This includes construction of highways and other interstate  infrastructure.


  • The Federal government needs to focus on these core priorities and deliver them with excellence.  Based on recent results, I would give the Federal government a B- for foreign policy, a C+ for defense, and a C- for interstate commerce.  Based on the results in the Federal government's core priorities, I don't want the Federal Government working on other elements (e.g. education, health care, etc.) that should be left to the states or the people.

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    This is not financial advice. Please consult a professional advisor.

    Copyright © 2012 Achievement Catalyst, LLC

    3 comments:

    AS said...

    The usual anti-President Obama fluff from this blogger.

    Absolutely ZERO justification for the ratings. B-, B+, B- - give me a break. Unless you gave George W F, F, D- ratings in the same categories, you're just full of crap.

    Prominence in international diplomacy vs. major steps backward in diplomacy. Winner: Obama.

    Defeating Bin Laden and winning 2 wars, plus avoiding a 3rd one in Libya, vs. failing to protect the US from Bin Laden and entering 2 failed wars. Winner: Obama.

    Commerce: 25 quarters of job growth. Reinvigoration of domestic industry and infrastructure spend. vs **VIRTUALLY NOTHING** by Bush. Winner: Obama.

    You can continue to ignore the facts but that doesn't change the truth. Get your head out of the sand.

    Brent said...

    Right on. Government should stay out of areas not specified in the Constitution like health care, education, and all those other bureaucracies it has created over the years.

    As for the "AS said..." funny how you credit Obama for winning two wars and Bush for failing two wars when those are they are the same exact wars that aren't even over yet. We still have troops fighting in Afgahnistan, a legion of contractors in Iraq, and fighting global terriorism around the globe.

    While you bash the post as anti-Obama fluff, one could just as easily call your comments pro-Obama fluff. Same fluff, just different sides.

    Also interesting how you equate the tons of mispent money on stimulus bills and other government reaches as "reinvigorating" the economy. Those are exactly the type of things the article implied that the federal government has no business getting involved in.

    Super Saver said...

    @AS,

    Fine, the government during Bush's time, which was a Democractic majority in the House and Senate. should get an F. All the more reason government should only focus on three things.

    To note, I graded government, not Obama.