David Sirota: After Oklahoma Disaster, Give Thanks to Government

[marmar]

from truthdig:


After Oklahoma Disaster, Give Thanks to Government

Posted on May 23, 2013
By David Sirota


Within hours of this week’s tornado disaster in Oklahoma, I (like many others) received emails from the President of the United States and my U.S. Senator. With impassioned language, they both claimed to care deeply about yet another community devastated by a cataclysm, and then said the best way for America to respond is to support private charities.

The work of non-governmental organizations, no doubt, is critical, and contributing money to them is laudable. But there is something troubling about government leaders initially implying—if subtly—that a non-governmental response is as significant as a governmental one. And there is something even more disturbing about that message being sent at a time when budget cuts and sequestrations engineered by those very governmental leaders threaten to prevent a more effective response to such disasters in the future.

It all suggests that the anti-government zeitgeist in America has become so powerful that public officials now feel compelled to downplay the public sector for fear of being tarred and feathered as a socialist, a Marxist or an opportunist unduly “politicizing” a tragedy.

Of course, avoiding a discussion of the government’s role at times like these is, unto itself, a politicized decision—one promoting the illusion that we don’t need government. And no matter how much anti-government conservatives deny it, that is an illusion. .......................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/after_oklahoma_disaster_give_thanks_to_government_20130523/?ln

[clarice]

1. And let's not forget the individuals and companies who took...

it upon themselves to pitch in. Very inspiring.