Government not the enemy

Idaho Rep. Raul Labrador says he’s OK with ending the federal budget sequester in favor of more selective “enacted cuts.” So far, so good. In principle, there’s possible merit in being a budget hawk making sure American taxpayers get full value for every dollar they pay in federal and state taxes, particularly when this accounting enhances the public good instead of simply siphoning money uphill into the pockets of the already rich and politically powerful.

As usual, the devil will be in the details. Will Labrador favor cuts to public education, or instead to military pork; those billion-dollar weapon systems that the Pentagon doesn’t even want, but which enrich defense contractor corporations?

Will Labrador favor cuts to Social Security and health care (Medicare and Medicaid), or will he instead seek to end tax breaks and sweetheart tax loopholes for wealthy individuals and corporations?

Will he favor cuts to veterans’ services and benefits, or will he seek to end tax-exempt status for bundlers of political bribes masquerading as “social welfare” or educational groups?

Government is not the enemy. Bought-and-paid-for politicians who neglect poor and working American families in favor of the rich, they’re the enemy.

Chris Norden

Moscow