Monday, July 21, 2008
Revolutionary Defeatism, Again [Andrew Stuttaford]
Mark, Megan McCardle's comments are depressing to put it mildly. The younger folk may be "kind of excited" about being in the wilderness, but, if I had to guess, that's only because they've never been there.
As for the rest of that NY Times article, I was intrigued by the sections on Brother Frum. After noting David's views that taxes have gone about as low as they can (something that the olde tyme economic policy of a President 'Change' Obama looks likely to end), I read this:
Mr. Frum also departs from the smaller-government-is-always-better-government dogma and concedes that there are some areas where government has to step in — for instance, prison reform. His list here includes “opportunities for education and self-improvement; conjugal visits; mentoring and support for prisoners’ children.
I don't think that these (excellent) ideas on prison reform are a question of smaller or bigger government. Once an individual is in jail, government is already involved, big time. David's prescriptions are simply a matter of basic humanity, as well, for the green eyeshadow set, as a commonsense way to reduce (costly) prison violence, (costly) recidivism and additional (costly) family disruption.
07/21 09:09 AM
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