|
ALL of the following are Big Government Programs...publicly funded programs providing communal services or protections. Many of these programs are in danger of being privatized.
I like being reasonably sure that when I turn on my faucet, water comes out.
I like knowing that when I buy gas, I get a real gallon. (Bureau of Weights & Measures ?)
When I eat at a restaurant, I like being reasonably sure there isn't a rat turd in my soup. :( (Health Dept.)
I like being reasonably sure that my airliner won't crash into another. (FAA)
I like the knowledge that if my ship sinks, I can call someone to rescue me. (Coast Guard)
I like flipping my switch and a light coming on even for those who live in the woods. (Rural Electrification)
I like it that it doesn't flood every time it rains. (Corp of Engineers) I like commerce being able to use our rivers for transportation. (Corp of Engineers)
I like the pictures from Hubble. (NASA)
I like believing that when I take a pill for an illness, I'll probably be OK. (FDA)
I like knowing that if my girlfriend gets makeup in her eye, she probably won't go blind. (FDA)
I like knowing that even if my bank president runs off with the money, I'll probably still be able to get my savings. (FDIC)
I like knowing that if my neighbor starts dumping toxic waste in HIS yard, I can stop him.
I like knowing that if my house catches on fire, someone will come to put it out.
I like being able to call the Police if I need them.
I like knowing when hurricane or tornado is approaching. (Weather Bureau)
I like it that McDonalds and Wal-Mart can't exploit children. (Child Labor Laws)
I like knowing that someone is watching out for epidemics. (Center for Disease Control)
I like knowing that Farmers (Large and Small) have access to information that lets them make good decisions concerning crops and land usage. (Bureau of Land Management & Farm Bureau?)
(added by DUer “Iowa”)
--I like knowing that I can seek assistance if my employer creates a deadly work environment. (OSHA)
--I like knowing that my parents have a decent income and medical care in their old age. (Social Security) (Medicare)
--I like it when people who are too disabled to support themselves aren't forced to be beggars. (SSI/SSDI)
--I like being able to afford to educate my kids. (Public Education) (Pell Grants)
--I like it when incompetent/impaired physicians are removed from practice. (state boards of examiners)
--I like to see snake-pit nursing homes fined and shut-down. (State Inspections & Appeals)
--I like it when a person injured on the job can get some financial help with retraining and job placement. (Vocational Rehabilitation)
The list is endless. Most of the people who work for the government are making our lives better - they are us. However, private sector corporations have perverted some (not all) government functions. What we need is not less government, but a strong government that is in the hands of the people and used to keep corporations in check. We need not only separation of church and state - we need separation of big business and state.
---I like the security of knowing that the bridges on our Interstate Highway System won't suddenly collapse. (DoT) (OOPS! :blush:)
---I like the comfort of knowing that the heavy trucks sharing our Highways & Interstates are regulated, licensed, and inspected! (DoT)(OOPS! :blush:)
|