The Fog of Government

I Don’t Understand

I have given up trying to understand the workings of our government at any level. There are too many proposals and programs that are in direct conflict with each other even though they are supported by the same people.

When China cut back production of microchips last year, it effected American producers of everything from automobiles to wrist watches. Our federal government was excited when Intel began constructing a plant in the Midwest that would make our country much less dependent on foreign sources. In his State of the Union address, our President used Intel’s initiative as an example of American companies taking care of America. Less than a month later, the President published his budget that, if approved by congress, would raise the tax on corporations by 33%. Intel’s reward for increasing domestic production of computer chips is higher taxes! The President’s budget would make America’s tax on corporations the highest of the world’s industrial nations. I have heard the rhetoric that the rich and big corporations don’t pay their fair share, but I haven’t seen any evidence of that. I could argue that the rich and big corporations provide jobs for working America, but I will just admit I don’t understand.

Electric cars are viewed by many as the savior of our planet. Electric cars don’t pollute the atmosphere nor do they contribute to global warming. Those who point out that over half of all our electricity is generated by burning fossil fuels are branded as nay sayers who don’t understand the big picture. I read reports of blackouts caused by overloading our national electric grid and am aware of studies that say our grid cannot accommodate electric cars without a massive overhaul and expansion. Most politicians who advocate electric vehicles reluctantly agree the grid needs a major overhaul. But those same ecology minded advocates want to eliminate hydro power from the equation. I don’t understand.

Those are just two of a long list of proposals and programs that don’t seem to make sense. I moved to Washington State after retiring from the Air Force. The lack of neither an income tax nor estate tax contributed to my decision. When Christine Gregoire was governor, she sold an estate tax to the voters by promising all the income generated would go to the schools. School funding didn’t change. More than 30 years later, the State Supreme court mandated schools be fully funded. Where did the money go? I used to believe our representatives answered to the voice of the people, but advocates of a state income tax in Olympia are still trying despite rejection by the voters 12 times! The city of Spokane wants growth, yet the city council raised the fees for building permits to ten times what they were last year! Our President and Governor are still trying to legislate gun control despite the rulings of the Supreme Court. The court also reminded our President that he overstepped his constitutional authority by forgiving student loans. I don’t understand.

It must take a special gene to be a politician. They seem to possess a system of logic much different than any I studied in school. But I studied math and engineering. If I had studied political science maybe I would understand.

Frank Watson is a retired Air Force Colonel and long-time resident of Eastern Washington. He has been a free-lance columnist for over 20 years.