So if we can't all move, what about ala carte government? Liberals, go ahead and set up a big, warm, caring government that provides everything you think everyone should need or want---but just provide me with an "opt out" check box for each set of services I don't want. Of course, there would be a few things that I can't opt out of, like police/fire protection and basic national defense. But if I don't pay for selected public services, then why don't we just agree that I am ineligible for them? That's fine with me. And a lot of people will still "opt in," so you would still be able to fund them with the very high tax rates that you favor. What say you?
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Is it time for ala carte government?
I have been wondering for a while (sometimes aloud to my husband) if we have reached the point in the USA where all the conservatives need to move to the red states and all the liberals need to move to the blue states so we can all live the way we want. This would require a lot of moving (including me), and "moderates" (all 2% of you) would have to decide once and for all where they want to be. Of course, I would much rather prefer that we just return to the way the founders intended, with limited government so that people can individually order their personal lives in the way they see fit. But listening to some radio commentary today made me realize that there are probably a lot of liberals out there that just won't be happy without a lot of government.
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At what level of government would you like ala carte services? Federal, state, county, or city?
ReplyDeleteYes, please. :> Okay, if I have to rank them, I would definitely want them for the federal government, since I think they do the most things that they have no business and no authority to do. But I can find examples at every level of government where I would like to opt out.
ReplyDeleteThe only snag I can think of so far (and I'm sure there are others) is how it would affect voting. If I'm opting out of much of what government supplies, should I get the same vote as someone who is all in (with the tax burden to go with it)? Probably not. The only solution I have come up with so far is to have more than one representative in most positions (i.e. my state legislative district has 2 reps, we have 2 senators per state), and the opt out people only get to vote for one, while the opt in people get to vote for both.
ReplyDeleteSuch a system would also be complex, since I would have to be able to prove my opt in or opt out status in a lot of places. However, I think a lot of this can be done electronically. For example, if I don't want to pay for farm subsidies and economists can figure out how much subsidies reduce the cost of food (if they do at all), the grocery store would have to maintain 2 cost structures and charge me accordingly. Complicated, but I think it could be done. And less complicated than everyone moving. :>
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