Dear Editor,
I want to offer reflections on the analogy of government as “nanny.” In spite of the intended pejorative connotations, this is one of several analogies that point to various positive aspects of the role of government.
Are guaranteed student loans and Pell Grant subsidies coddling students? When your home is broken into, do you run to the government-supported law enforcement, or do you stalwartly handle the matter yourself? The question is not whether government should provide service and protection, it is at what point does government cross the line and become an overprotective parent.
Through our nation’s history we’ve grappled to balance these competing values. President Jackson’s fiscal philosophy yielded disastrous results. Teddy Roosevelt profoundly impacted commerce in the 20th century with his controversial trust-busting approach.
And without governmental “interference,” I dare say ethnic factors would still play a role in deciding which water fountain to use.
I urge caution as we critique the efficacy of specific governmental policies. Sweeping generalizations and subtle connotations can jeopardize the welfare of “We the People” for generations to come.
-Joel Tramel

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