One week ago, Joseph Coletti started a three-part discussion of the main problems linked to North Carolina state government. This week’s “Daily Journal” guest columnist is Daren Bakst, Legal and Regulatory Policy Analyst for the John Locke Foundation. He offers the second installment in the series.
I was supposed to identify what I consider is “the problem” with government. Unfortunately, I had a hard time coming up with an answer to this question. Then I realized why I was having such a hard time. There is nothing wrong with government.
So, instead of being negative, I’d like to explain what is great about North Carolina government. I thought about writing a poem or writing music to accompany the following praise for North Carolina government, but then I remembered I have no creative skills. Anyway, here are just a few of my favorite things about North Carolina government (both state and local government):
Closed-Door Policy-Making
I always enjoy going to legislative committee meetings and having their votes be foregone conclusions. This saves me valuable time and ensures I don’t have to hear why they actually voted for a bill.
TTA
The Triangle Transit Authority (TTA) has a special place in my heart. They don’t let property rights or public opposition get in the way of their dream of an imaginary rail system. I also would like to apologize for something that I said to them recently:
Tail Wagging the Dog
I think we’d all agree that the TTA should develop transportation systems that serve the current and future needs of the Triangle community. However, this isn’t happening when it comes to the rail. TTA has identified one mode of transportation (rail) and is trying to change the community, through high-density development, to meet the needs of the rail. The TTA should serve the needs of its citizens, not the requirements for a commuter rail system.
Anti-Science
I hated science when I was in school. It’s good to know that the North Carolina government shares these same feelings. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources stated the following regarding its Climate Action Plan Advisory Group (CAPAG):
CAPAG’s purpose is to develop recommendations for specific actions to help reduce or prevent climate change. The recommendations will include measures for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and sequestering or removing such gases from the atmosphere. The group will not discuss or debate the science of climate change.
Sign Regulations
Have you ever driven in a nice neighborhood and seen “Open House” signs? How annoying are those? I appreciate it when cities protect us from these eyesores by limiting the ability of individuals to sell their homes.
Raleigh recently took sign regulations to a new level. A costume storeowner had the audacity to have her children dress up in costumes and stand in front of the store. Those costumes clearly are improper signs. Fortunately, Raleigh agreed and made her stop violating the sign laws.
Smart Growth
We use way too much land and don’t respect nature. If the public isn’t going to change behavior, the government has to change our behavior for our own good. We also need to start using alternative sources of energy such as windmills. Yes, windmills may use up a lot of land and are “bird-blenders,” but that is a small price to pay.
Protecting the Greater Good
Too many of us are selfish, including me. If a city thinks that taking your land will help somehow, that is all we need to know. They are acting in the greater good. Maybe they are taking your house for critical matters such as helping a developer or building a golf course—all we need to remember is it takes a village. Literally, a city may need to take a village.
The people that bother me the most are those who live in unincorporated areas. They get all upset that a city is going to forcibly annex them and require them to live in the city. I can hear their complaints now. “We should have a vote.” “I don’t want to live in the city.” “I chose to live outside the city on purpose.” Get over it! Cities need more taxes to make up for their debts so they can force you to pay taxes.
My list of favorite things could go on and on. We are lucky to have a government for which public policymaking doesn’t have to involve the public. Best of all, the government goes out of its way to make sure we aren’t involved in policymaking or even know what is going on. Government does this because it cares. If we would just give up our rights sometimes when the government thinks it is a good idea, we could live in a free and prosperous country.