By Jerry Riley

Do we have more government involvement in our everyday lives? Could some of this involvement be handled more efficiently by the private sector and  maybe helping to create employment? The most profitable industry right now might be the manufacture of red tape – and, what a revoltin’ development this is! Is this abuse of red tape causing more red ink?
We always hear about the trickle down effect. Look around, many big companies are also top heavy.
As the people wanted more government programs to take care of them, it required more bureaucrats to administer the programs, so we pay for the entitlements plus we pay for those who distribute the entitlements and those who decide who is entitled to the entitlements. Each bureaucrat often needs a full staff of minions.
Look at NASA. After the shuttle program, they are going to rely on private contractors. Of course, with true government thinking, no one looked ahead to see if some experienced space people could move into the private sector. Some of those in the shuttle program, their suppliers, as well as those who supply the suppliers, may also be out of work. Was this a move to benefit people, or a few bureaucrats?
Before people start complaining, I know there are government officials who are still responsive to the people, especially in an election year.
The job of all voters is to assess that response while they are in office. If it changes, without a valid explanation, vote them out at the next election.
The only way your elected employees know what you think is if you tell them. Communication must flow both ways. Never assume that your representative knows how you feel, or even knows what you know, or think you know. If the elected individual does not communicate with you – vote him/her out! Let’s keep trying and maybe, just maybe, we can get this right.
Maybe the good old boy network will give way and by electing new, younger faces, we can return to Government for the People, as the Constitution was written.

Jerry Riley is an occasional commentator for the News Bulletin. He is a retired telecommunications supervisor.
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