Finding The Positive Message For Limited Government
By: Doug Busselman, Executive Vice President
The champions of government-is-everything-nothing-should-limit-it’s-expansion are in charge of things right now. In addition to structuring the public debate where more government is presented as a logical and necessary outcome -- those who oppose the unsustainable spending or question the unrestrained growth are labeled as uncaring or anti-government...against the people…advocates of “No”.
Responsible, alternative solutions are completely ignored without second thoughts or evaluation. The one-sized, only government option literally sucks the air from any conversation to the contrary. Lack of acceptance is portrayed as non-cooperation and as being out-of-step with the realities of necessity.
We need to find a proactive, value-oriented message which presents the case for relying on the private sector for something other than the funding source for more government or the brunt of who to blame for the invented problems. Voters need to receive positive reasons for maintaining limits for government involvement and activities, presented in some other format than opposing government.
Currently, when results of government are found wanting the response is blame not having enough – then spend some more. Those spending taxpayer dollars must be confronted with competition in the form of a choice to deliver or be replaced. Our elected representatives need to recognize that the other people’s money they are spending requires delivery of value and performance. Just getting them to recognize that the money they are spending rightfully belongs to private citizens and business enterprises would be a remarkable turn-around from their current attitude.
As Nevada prepares to confront the Legislative initiative to find and build a tax engine that only has an accelerator and a “vision” which embodies all the reasons why no limitations on government spending can be possible – the challenge of structuring a “we can without government” approach must be addressed. Promoting non-governmental, pro-private enterprise out-comes, packaged with accountability requirements for those areas where government programs are determined to be “essential”.
Government has appropriate roles to fill, at all levels. The message we create and use needs to promote putting government back into proper boundaries, not allowing that theme to be misrepresented for what it is not.
The champions of government-is-everything-nothing-should-limit-it’s-expansion are in charge of things right now. In addition to structuring the public debate where more government is presented as a logical and necessary outcome -- those who oppose the unsustainable spending or question the unrestrained growth are labeled as uncaring or anti-government...against the people…advocates of “No”.
Responsible, alternative solutions are completely ignored without second thoughts or evaluation. The one-sized, only government option literally sucks the air from any conversation to the contrary. Lack of acceptance is portrayed as non-cooperation and as being out-of-step with the realities of necessity.
We need to find a proactive, value-oriented message which presents the case for relying on the private sector for something other than the funding source for more government or the brunt of who to blame for the invented problems. Voters need to receive positive reasons for maintaining limits for government involvement and activities, presented in some other format than opposing government.
Currently, when results of government are found wanting the response is blame not having enough – then spend some more. Those spending taxpayer dollars must be confronted with competition in the form of a choice to deliver or be replaced. Our elected representatives need to recognize that the other people’s money they are spending requires delivery of value and performance. Just getting them to recognize that the money they are spending rightfully belongs to private citizens and business enterprises would be a remarkable turn-around from their current attitude.
As Nevada prepares to confront the Legislative initiative to find and build a tax engine that only has an accelerator and a “vision” which embodies all the reasons why no limitations on government spending can be possible – the challenge of structuring a “we can without government” approach must be addressed. Promoting non-governmental, pro-private enterprise out-comes, packaged with accountability requirements for those areas where government programs are determined to be “essential”.
Government has appropriate roles to fill, at all levels. The message we create and use needs to promote putting government back into proper boundaries, not allowing that theme to be misrepresented for what it is not.
Posted by Doug Busselman at 11/9/2009 6:38 AM 
Categories: Government
Tags: Nevada 2010 Election Limited Government Tax and Spend
Categories: Government
Tags: Nevada 2010 Election Limited Government Tax and Spend
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