Notes on "Seven Brutal Realities of Government"

I ran across this interesting, if cynical, meme the other day - 

I think there are a few good points there, but I think also that there is a bit more to be said about each point:

 

1. Power Attracts Power-Hungry People: Politics draws those who crave control, not those who crave service.

Bilbo's Take: I think this is true at the national, but not necessarily at the state and local level. Most people I've known who are local, city, and state level officials have a genuine interest in their communities and actively believe their positions carry an obligation to serve. Likewise members of the House of Representatives, at least until they ascend to positions of power ... after that, you get the Mike Johnsons.

2. Promises Cost Nothing, Delivery Costs Everything: During elections, they promise the world. In office, excuses are free.

Bilbo's Take: It's always been this way, depending upon the level of government. At the state governor and below levels, it's much easier for the voters to see the immediate, day-to-day evidence of your ability to deliver on your promises. At the national level, promises are cheap and the excuses and scapegoats for failure plentiful. I personally think that service as an elected state governor is one of the best training grounds for a presidential candidate ... it doesn't guarantee national-level competence, but it's a start.

3. You're Not The Customer, You're The Product: Your attention, your data, and your vote are what they trade on.

Bilbo's Take: No argument, here. There's a lot of money to be made by selling you digitally to the highest bidder.

4. Bureaucracy Protects Itself, Not You: Systems are designed to preserve their own existence, not to solve your problems.

Bilbo's Take: This is true, as far as it goes. The vast responsibilities of modern government require a huge administrative structure. Depending on your political leanings, this can be the dreaded "administrative state" staffed by "faceless bureaucrats," or it can be the noble "Civil Service" staffed by "civil servants." Regardless of how you view it, bureaucracy takes on a life of its own, and even the very smallest and most obscure office has its own constituency that will fight to protect its little slice of the bureaucratic pie while carrying out the responsibilities for which it was created.

5. Corruption Isn't Always Illegal: Favors, influence, and insider deals often do more damage than crimes.

Bilbo's Take: Don Vito Corleone said in "The Godfather," "A lawyer with a briefcase can steal more than a hundred men with guns." If you want to loot the treasury and use the government to enrich yourself and your cronies, it's easier, safer, and more profitable to bankroll the election of senators and representatives who will pass the laws you want, and judges who will decide issues in your favor. Nowadays, the Supreme Court is your best friend, having completely gutted all limits on campaign financing that might have limited the ability of the ultra-wealthy and corporations to buy the government they want.

6. They Divide You To Control You: The easier you are to divide, the easier you are to distract and manipulate.

Bilbo's Take: The division between Republican and Democrat is bad enough, but the relentless efforts by Der Furor and his hard-core MAGA followers to paint Democrats as "communists," "socialists," "radical left lunatics," "America-hating scum," and other insults du jour are the ultimate in despicable mislabeling, distraction, and manipulation. If all that energy was channeled into useful legislative action instead of childish distraction, we'd be a lot better off.

7. The Truth Threatens Power: Questioning the narrative is the fastest way to be labeled, ignored, or silenced.

Bilbo's Take: This is as true now as ever it was. The easiest way to demonstrate it is the vehemence with which Der Furor and his acolytes rage against even the most gentle pushback against their preferred talking points, much less fact-checkers armed with actual hard evidence. 

Well, that's my two cents about the seven-point meme on the brutal realities of government. I'd be interested in your takes - leave a comment.

Have a good day. More thoughts coming.

Bilbo