Editorial: Political Wars Warn Against Too Much Government

The health care issues President Obama discussed before a joint session of Congress September 9 have fueled a great debate across our nation—a debate not just about health care but about the presence of too much government in our lives. Bills, cumulatively totaling thousands of pages, are fraught with stipulations here and triggers there that will eat away at freedoms we have enjoyed.

Is it any wonder polls show a decline in the degree to which the electorate trusts government?

In a September 3 letter to the Louisiana congressional delegation, Walter E. Blessey Jr., owner and chief executive officer of Blessey Marine Services Inc., wrote that deficit spending and the Obama health care plan will have a devastating impact on business.

“We provide a comprehensive healthcare plan that includes medical, dental, vision and prescription coverage at minimal to no cost to all employees,” Blessey’s letter stated. “The plan comes at an annual cost to my company of just under $5 million, which I gladly pay for my employees who work hard for our company. With a government ‘option’ forced into the market, these costs will exponentially increase, making it financially unfeasible for me to continue to provide what I want to provide for my employees. In turn, we will have no choice but to dump them into the government plan. I don’t want to do this and neither do they.”

Pending in Congress are controversial issues that cause division among lawmakers and spur rousing arguments wherever people congregate. Congress passed a stimulus package virtually no one had read. The government has taken over business in a manner many believe is contrary to the Constitution. Many fear that precious document is being ignored. Among bills pending is the controversial Waxman-Markey American Clean Energy and Security Act (H.R. 2454). It is intended to control carbon emissions; the bill’s tentacles will leave no one unscathed, we’re told. Billions in costs will be passed to the taxpayer.

What these bills demonstrate is government’s desire to gain control. However, it can be argued that people fare better with less government interference, less government manipulation, and with those who operate businesses being allowed to let ingenuity work to produce more at less cost and provide more jobs.

The barge and towing industry, as well as multiple related business operations, are a good case in point. The towing industry is the only industry in the United States that is totally controlled by a military agency—the Coast Guard. Why should that be? It may seem a natural match, what with the CG being involved in life saving in both brown-water and blue-water venues. But safety concerns often take precedent over common-sense business practices and the industry sometimes suffers. Safety is the Coast Guard’s special interest.

Congressional committee members are not content unless they are conjuring up bills to impose rules and regulations. Most increase the cost of doing business, and some turn out to be a pox on operations.

What has emerged over decades in business, out of necessity, are efforts by industry-related trade groups to keep Congress from putting them out of business altogether. At nearly every meeting of waterway leaders, efforts are made to improve business conditions and stave off unnecessary and costly additional regulations.

A common complaint about lawmakers is that most have never run a business. “So,” critics ask, “how can they operate banks, auto agencies, corporate boards, et al, or for that matter design a health care system?” Such criticisms are justified, especially when legislators don’t bother to read bills.

No matter what one’s party affiliation, life is too complicated to be micromanaged by Congress.

When Congress gets involved in complicated matters, things often get worse. Business operations are tough enough without congressional kibitzing.

As far as waterway interests go, several important legislative issues are languishing in the halls of Congress as political pugilists don gloves to duke it out over health care. Then comes cap and trade. Industry, in the meantime, is still working on a plan to help fund waterway projects and fend off lockage-fee proposals. A new Clean Water Act has not been introduced this session, and the Clean Water Restoration Act, we’re told, is stalled. These are crucial issues.

This piece is not really about health care, but what happens to that issue in ensuing weeks will have great impact on how Congress will pursue legislation in the future. Destruction of constitutional freedoms is not good for individuals or business

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