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Lee Hamiton: Chaired House October Surprise Taskforce
Thu Dec 12 18:28:16 2002
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Lee Hamiton was the Chairman of the House October Surprise Taskforce
http://www.rumormillnews.com/LEE_HAMILTON_DCI.html

Thoughts of a Congressman

American eagle

Lee Hamilton [D-Ind] served as a member of the United States Congress for 34 years, from 1965-1998. During that time, he served on a number of House committees and subcommittees. His service included the posts of both Chairman and Ranking Minority Member of the House Committee on International Relations, and Chairman of the Joint Economic Committee.

"Thoughts of a Congressman" had their origins as a column by Rep. Hamilton in the newsletter sent weekly to the constituents in the 9th Congressional District.
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The Role Of Government

CONGRESSMAN LEE HAMILTON
9th District. Indiana
Vol. XXXII No. 29 July 16, 1997

The key question in American democracy has always been the proper role of government: what it can do, what it should do. Some people believe that government should solve problems and protect people. Others think that, government should stay out of people's lives. Still others believe it should help people equip themselves to solve their own problems.

President Reagan said that government is the problem. President Clinton has said that government is neither the problem nor the solution but the instrument by which we give each other the tools to make the most of our own lives. Throughout our history we've been trying to find the right balance between what the state does and what is best left to the individual or the private market.

Changing attitudes: There has been a major shift in attitude toward the role of government in, recent decades. In the early 1960s many were brimming with optimism over the potential of federal programs to solve all kinds of problems: alleviating poverty, curbing racial discrimination, extending health insurance, and rebuilding America's cities. More recently the mood has shifted toward pessimism about what government can achieve that is worthwhile. Many believe that government creates more problems than it solves, and some people today loathe or even fear the government. As is often the case, the truth is probably somewhere between the gloom and the euphoria about government's role.

Skepticism toward government has always been a healthy strain in American thinking. The Constitution with its emphasis on measures to check official power reflects that view. But overall, most Americans probably recognize that government has several important roles.

Meeting important needs: One role of government is meeting important needs. Polls show that programs like Medicare and Social Security, which have greatly improved the lot of older Americans, remain very popular. There is also widespread support for a strong national defense, public education, law enforcement, environmental protection, and immigration control.

America is an individual-centered society, but when violence spreads and prisons explode with new inmates, when social divisions widen between society's have's and have not's, when the schools lag behind those in other countries, then part of the way to cope with these problems more effectively is to have government action.

Providing opportunity: Government also helps provide equality of opportunity. Over the years it has stepped in through civil rights laws, free public education, progressive taxation, and transfer programs to moderate some of the inequality in our market-based economy.

Most of us recognize that the notable achievements of our nation occur where individual talent and creativity blossom. Often that happens without government, but sometimes government is important in ensuring that individuals receive the opportunity and the backing they need to get ahead if they work hard.

Reflecting core values: Another role of government is to reflect important values. Government steps in to prohibit child labor, preserve endangered species, or help keep older Americans out of poverty give expression to important social values.

Often people judge government policies less in economic terms than in moral terms of right and wrong. For example, they support Head Start, not because of its impact on the economy but simply because it is right to give a child a chance to get an education. They talk about protecting the environment as a way of preserving certain values for future generations, and urge campaign finance reform to remove corruption from the system.

Curbing excesses of market: Government is also needed to curb excesses of market. Government doesn’t replace the market but it can on occasion usefully complement it. The market clearly was not working well in the Great Depression, and the government stepped in to promote maximum employment and purchasing power.

We should rely on private sector markets but we should also be aware of market imperfections. Left to themselves markets can produce too little of some goods like scientific research and too much of other goods like pollution. They can leave behind large parts of society, particularly in the inner cities or in remote areas.

Limited, efficient government: Although government plays several important roles, most Americans also recognize its weaknesses. They clearly favor a limited, more efficient, less costly government.

Certainly there is a lot wrong with government. It can be wasteful, make mistakes, and be paralyzed by gridlock. It can fail to deal successfully with issues of great importance to the American people. Problems of cooperation can crop up repeatedly among the various levels of government. Yet we have a very difficult time sifting through the many activities of government and discarding programs that are no longer needed or are ineffective. Once established, government programs tend to keep going, protected by affected constituents, lobbies, and congressional committees. Many people will tell you that the functions of government must be kept to a bare minimum but then casually accept the benefits of many government programs, such as driving on a federally built highway. However difficult, we must continue our efforts to streamline government.

Conclusion: The character, initiative, and resourcefulness of the American people are still key to the nation's success. But so are various government activities like good education, basic research, and infrastructure. Good policy choices by the government, the skill with which legislation is crafted and implemented, and the effectiveness of government can make a big difference and can help restore confidence in our national institutions.

Government may be part of the problem for the United States, but it is also part of the solution. I don’t see any way out of many of the difficulties that confront us without enlightened public policies. Whether we like it or not, government will play a significant role in our lives. We have to work harder at making that government work better and cost less.