More Unintended Consequences

My basic position is our federal government should do nothing most of the time because the people in government positions aren’t smart enough to even begin to analyze the many unintended consequences of their “doing something.” And they seem too arrogant to ask experts for advice and too self-serving to care what they say. By “doing something” about a situation they deem as a problem, they can make a case for their re-election, sell themselves as a hero and the public will have long forgotten their involvement when those pesky “unintended consequences” of their actions roll around. (The other funny thing is most of the “heroic” actions the government wants to implement are unfunded – they have no idea how the initiative will be paid for, and really they don’t care, it just sounds good and they look great by voting for it.)

Of course, I have 3 exceptions to my “do nothing” stance: education, defense, and some economic development. Education and defense are obvious needs – although public education is so screwed up, it would take a radical revolution to fix at this point. As for economic development…this is about leveling the playing field in an economy due to other governments’ involvement. I don’t mind giving a little boost to new business ventures to ensure first-mover advantages (one great example being new energy source development).

Recently I came across another example of those “unintended consequences” I wanted to share with you. Texas and California tightened their border security 15 years ago with increased troops, equipment, resources, an organized plan with an Official Name for the Operation. The thinking at that time was “it’s okay to not give Arizona the same level of support.” The harsh terrain of the Sonoran Desert would naturally dissuade illegal immigrants from using that path, so we’ll funnel them all to there…

The result: we created a market for the ruthless coyotes, hired to lead the groups of people through the desert, with a price of $1800 a head. Now look at the mess – the coyotes have become human smugglers, kidnappers, torturers, rapists, murderers…they’re FUNDED, with ability and equipment, like a frickin’ little army operation breaching OUR BORDER!! Are we looking at a counter-military operation to get control of this crazy situation now?

Our border is a defense issue. A security problem. And that’s number one on my “Things to Actually Do” List. Give this action whatever it needs to get done correctly. Please take money from all the other stoopid things we fund.