Rand Paul's toilets don't work, and in a five minute tirade he blames the Energy Department.
The thing is, Rand sort of right, but still wrong. The government is made up of busy bodies, who do restrict our choices in ways that make some things more expensive but Rand has forgotten a few important things
(1) When it comes to gay marriage, prayer in public school, abortion, and similar, Rand's party would very much like to stick its nose into our houses and tell us what to do. When the Democrats set rules for energy consumption, at least the rules are based on data and projections anyone can review and rebut. The move to restrict gay marriage, for example, is not based on something similarly empirical.
(2) In the US, the government is made up of us. We select the President and members of Congress. If we don't like them, we can replace him. In his tirade, Rand tries to make it seem like some tyrannical dictator is imposing its will on the powerless people, but the people aren't powerless. They chose this administration by a wide margin, and in a few months time, they can choose another if they so desire. As Senator Shaheen said in a mild rebuke of Paul's tantrum
“I think it behooves us all not to engage in name calling,” Ms. Shaheen said. Government workers like Ms. Hogan are simply trying “to carry out the work Congress has asked them to do,” and Congress can change the law if it wants, Ms. Shaheen said.
The thing is, Rand sort of right, but still wrong. The government is made up of busy bodies, who do restrict our choices in ways that make some things more expensive but Rand has forgotten a few important things
(1) When it comes to gay marriage, prayer in public school, abortion, and similar, Rand's party would very much like to stick its nose into our houses and tell us what to do. When the Democrats set rules for energy consumption, at least the rules are based on data and projections anyone can review and rebut. The move to restrict gay marriage, for example, is not based on something similarly empirical.
(2) In the US, the government is made up of us. We select the President and members of Congress. If we don't like them, we can replace him. In his tirade, Rand tries to make it seem like some tyrannical dictator is imposing its will on the powerless people, but the people aren't powerless. They chose this administration by a wide margin, and in a few months time, they can choose another if they so desire. As Senator Shaheen said in a mild rebuke of Paul's tantrum
“I think it behooves us all not to engage in name calling,” Ms. Shaheen said. Government workers like Ms. Hogan are simply trying “to carry out the work Congress has asked them to do,” and Congress can change the law if it wants, Ms. Shaheen said.
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