[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 101 (Wednesday, July 16, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1437]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT

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                          HON. LEE H. HAMILTON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 16, 1997

  Mr. HAMILTON. Mr. Speaker, I would like to insert my Washington 
Report for Wednesday, July 16, 1997, into the Congressional Record.

                         The Role of Government

       The key question in American democracy has always been the 
     proper role of government: what it can do, what it should do. 
     Some people believe that government should solve problems and 
     protect people. Others think that government should stay out 
     of people's lives. Still others believe it should help people 
     equip themselves to solve their own problems.
       President Reagan said that government is the problem. 
     President Clinton has said that government is neither the 
     problem nor the solution but the instrument by which we give 
     each other the tools to make the most of our own lives. 
     Throughout our history we've been trying to find the right 
     balance between what the state does and what is best left to 
     the individual or the private market.
       Changing attitudes: There has been a major shift in 
     attitude toward the role of government in recent decades. In 
     the early 1960s many were brimming with optimism over the 
     potential of federal programs to solve all kinds of problems: 
     alleviating poverty, curbing racial discrimination, extending 
     health insurance, and rebuilding America's cities. More 
     recently the mood has shifted toward pessimism about what 
     government can achieve that is worthwhile. Many believe that 
     government creates more problems than it solves, and some 
     people today loathe or even fear the government. As is often 
     the case, the truth is probably somewhere between the gloom 
     and the euphoria about government's role.
       Skepticism toward government has always been a healthy 
     strain in American thinking. The Constitution with its 
     emphasis on measures to check official power reflects that 
     view. But overall, most Americans probably recognize that 
     government has several important roles.
       Meeting important needs: One role of government is meeting 
     important needs. Polls show that programs like Medicare and 
     Social Security, which have greatly improved the lot of older 
     Americans, remain very popular. There is also widespread 
     support for a strong national defense, public education, law 
     enforcement, environmental protection, and immigration 
     control.
       America is an individual-centered society, but when 
     violence spreads and prisons explode with new inmates, when 
     social divisions widen between society's have's and have 
     not's, when the schools lag behind those in other countries, 
     then part of the way to cope with these problems more 
     effectively is to have government action.
       Providing opportunity: Government also helps provide 
     equality of opportunity. Over the years it has stepped in 
     through civil rights laws, free public education, progressive 
     taxation, and transfer programs to moderate some of the 
     inequality in our market-based economy.
       Most of us recognize that the notable achievements of our 
     nation occur where individual talent and creativity blossom. 
     Often that happens without government, but sometimes 
     government is important in ensuring that individuals receive 
     the opportunity and the backing they need to get ahead if 
     they work hard.
       Reflecting core values: Another role of government is to 
     reflect important values. Government steps to prohibit child 
     labor, preserve endangered species, or help keep older 
     Americans out of poverty give expression to important social 
     values.
       Often people judge government policies less in economic 
     terms than in moral terms of right and wrong. For example, 
     they support Head Start, not because of its impact on the 
     economy but simply because it is right to give a child a 
     chance to get an education. They talk about protecting the 
     environment as a way of preserving certain values for future 
     generations, and urge campaign finance reform to remove 
     corruption from the system.
       Curbing excesses of market: Government is also needed to 
     curb excesses of the market. Government doesn't replace the 
     market but it can on occasion usefully complement it. The 
     market clearly was not working well in the Great Depression, 
     and the government stepped in to promote maximum employment 
     and purchasing power.
       We should rely on private sector markets but we should also 
     be aware of market imperfections. Left to themselves markets 
     can produce too little of some goods like scientific research 
     and too much of other goods like pollution. They can leave 
     behind large parts of society, particularly in the inner 
     cities or in remote areas.
       Limited, efficient government: Although government plays 
     several important roles, most Americans also recognize its 
     weaknesses. They clearly favor a limited, more efficient, 
     less costly government.
       Certainly there is a lot wrong with government. It can be 
     wasteful, make mistakes, and be paralyzed by gridlock. It can 
     fail to deal successfully with issues of great importance to 
     the American people. Problems of cooperation can crop up 
     repeatedly among the various levels of government. Yet we 
     have a very difficult time shifting through the many 
     activities of government and discarding programs that are no 
     longer needed or are ineffective. Once established, 
     government programs tend to keep going, protected by affected 
     constituents, lobbies, and congressional committees. Many 
     people will tell you that the functions of government must be 
     kept to a bare minimum but then casually accept the benefits 
     of many government programs, such as driving on a federally 
     built highway. However difficult, we must continue our 
     efforts to streamline government.
       Conclusion: The character, initiative, and resourcefulness 
     of the American people are still key to the nation's success. 
     But so are various government activities like good education, 
     basic research, and infrastructure. Good policy choices by 
     the government, the skill with which legislation is crafted 
     and implemented, and the effectiveness of government can make 
     a big difference and can help restore confidence in our 
     national institutions.
       Government may be part of the problem for the United 
     States, but it is also part of the solution. I don't see any 
     way out of many of the difficulties that confront us without 
     enlightened public policies. Whether we like it or not, 
     government will play a significant role in our lives. We have 
     to work harder at making that government work better and cost 
     less.

     

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