[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 97 (Monday, July 20, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H5864]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   THE PROPER ROLE OF THE GOVERNMENT

  (Mr. GIBBONS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, during this appropriations season here in 
Congress, we should all remember exactly why we are here and what 
promises we made to the American people. Those promises are to reduce 
the size and the scope and the power, especially the power, of the 
Federal Government over our lives.
  Some people believe that government was solely created to correct the 
wrongs in people's lives. However, I think that is only half right. I 
look at the government's responsibility from a different perspective.
  Over the last 40 years, government has shown that its one-size-fits-
all approach rarely if ever solves problems, whether it is here in 
Washington or in my district in Nevada.
  Government provides little opportunity to create wealth, and over the 
years has become very effective at taxing one person's wealth and 
giving it to another. Sure, government has a role to play in helping 
people who are truly in need by providing needed resources to State, 
county and local governments so they can create targeted local 
solutions to those in need.
  I urge my fellow colleagues to remember that government must never 
become counterproductive or create unnecessary entitlement programs 
without proper responsibility.




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