Increasingly bureaucratic government?

I’ve lived in France, which pretty much defines “big bureaucracy”, and in no way did it seem less democratic or more despotic than the American government. But even France has nothing on Denmark, in terms of involvement of government; but the Danes are as happy as can be with their governance, and Denmark ranks as one of the least corrupt governments in the world.

Both examples point to what I think is a much bigger factor in determining how non-democratic or despotic a government becomes: the influence of corporate and special interests on government. France, for instance, has public financing of campaigns, so that winners of elections aren’t determined by who can best cater to the moneyed interests. And in Denmark, all of those myriads of public servants are actually out there to serve the public, and so the public is more than willing to give them the financial means to provide decent services.

Here, advocates of “small government” are, ironically, mostly in favor of measures that place enormous political power in the hands of corporations, as witnessed in the recent Supreme Court ruling allowing unlimited campaign contributions by corporations. This was greeted with cheers by champions of small government. Now candidates have more to gain by serving corporate interests than those of the public. Not only is this anti-democratic, but it consolidates the growing despotism of money in our government.

Nah. Just more annoying to deal with on a day-to-day basis. (Think: Department of Motor Vehicles.)

Agree with @Harp that “big” doesn’t necessarily mean “despotic.”

I agree with the two previous posters.

We, in the U.S. no longer have a real federal government. Virtually all of the real governance is at the local level and much designed as work-arounds for federal mandates.

The only real working part of the U.S. government is the IRS, all other parts have been corrupted by the last eight years of intentionally putting the worst people in the most damaging positions. If you start out saying that government is bad and can’t work and gets in the way of citizens, why would you do anything to improve it. We have had eight years of deregulation, irresponsible tax brakes, ineffective responses to emergencies, and out right corruption. It will be difficult or impossible to restore a decent government in this country. Expect further decline and unraveling.

At least we had 8 years of jobs.

@CaptainHarley – Yeah, under Clinton.

@Rufus_T_Firefly

An example of a realistic Democrat! : )

@CaptainHarley – Are you talking about me, or the fact I mentioned? If it’s the former, I’d have to ask you to keep your political labels to yourself. If it’s the latter, I couldn’t agree more. <grin>

@Rufus_T_Firefly

No, I was being serious… Mrs. Clinton’s lil boy did really well for himself when it comes to business and economics. : ))