On the CBS News last night, the "Free Speech" segment was given to Bob Schieffer, who said the expected things about the Mark Foley case. I was struck by this line, which Schieffer tossed out casually, as if it were universally accepted:
There is only one reason for government: to improve the lives of its citizens, but this Congress has forgotten that.
Well, no. Some of us believe that the only reason for government is to protect the basic rights of its citizens so that they might pursue their own visions of the good life. This is perhaps the greatest dividing line today between conservative and liberal views of government. Consider Mayor Graham Richard's Green Ribbon Commission, which has recommended "a comprehensive energy and clean-air plan for the community." Many of the recommendations are uncontroversial, involving the city doing all it can to police its own activities. But the city also has some grand ideas for thee and me:
. . . the entire community needs to be involved. You can do practical things such as insulating and air-sealing your home, using energy-efficient lighting, and living closer to work and recreation opportunities, such as our tremendous Greenway system.
Our key recommendations include the development and adoption of a city energy policy. We also need to reduce our dependence on traditional automobiles and trucks, while increasing the availability of transportation choices . . .
Local developers need to construct and renovate buildings with energy efficiency and air quality in mind. Developers also need to explore the use of native landscaping and pervious parking lots and incorporating transportation choices into the design mix.
So, they want me not only to insulate and use different light bulbs -- I should also leave the car parked and take the bus, although if I move closer to work (in an energy-efficient and properly landscaped housing unit, of course), I guess it won't matter so much. You know, some people other than cranky conservatives might think this be overly intrusive government.
Study a lot of the literature from the environmental religion movement today, and you'll see the same old big-government arguments. They might be dressed up as concern for the Earth or future generations, but the message is the same as always: Ordinary people can't be trusted to do it right and need guidance and direction from their betters.
