Arthur C. Brooks, President of the American Enterprise Institute, has written a thoughtful Op-Ed about why government plays Santa Claus, why citizens hate the result, and what to do about it. He calls for a new philosophy of governance that limits what government does, and for commencement of discussion concerning the parameters of that philosophy. In short, government shouldn't try to do nice things for people. Instead it should limit itself to providing a minimum standard of living for citizens, and to addressing market failures when government action can do so cost effectively. Sounds reasonable to Noman, who appends Brooks' article for your consideration.
The Obama Administration seems intent on having its cake and eating it too, attending to the affairs of state while untiringly expanding the sphere of its state-as-pater role, apparently forgetting that it is not the pater. Or the mater. Or even the frater. It can't be: it doesn't know you like these do and therefore cannot provide for you like they can.
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