Is Government the Answer to All Our Problems?
Dennis AuBuchon
July 21, 2009
Today there is much talk about the need for government involvement in society. Increasing government involvement in society can be a good thing or a bad thing dependent upon your perspective and how you are affected. Recent events have evolved causing more government involvement in the fabric of society. Bailouts for the auto and financial industries brought a new chapter in government involvement and/or regulation. As a result of these bailouts there are calls for bailouts of other industries and/or companies. While there were issues with these industries which prompted the government to provide some financial assistance coming to the aid of all those in business is not a government responsibility.
The primary role of government is to provide for the security and safety of its citizens among others. When companies and/or the management of companies or corporations make bad decisions it is not the responsibility of government to come to their aid when they get into trouble. Businesses exist to provide a product or service which consumers need or want. The manner in which these are provided affects their success or failure. There are many fine companies who today feel that they should receive some bailouts like the auto and financial industries. They have a point to some extent.
Government involvement in society should be limited. Our country like some others do not routinely bailout companies when things go wrong. Granted there are conditions that are not within the control of businesses which affect their profit margin but they can adjust to some extent. It is the responsibility of government to address the causes of these problems to help bring our economy into a more stable condition. The question that is often raised is how to accomplish this.
As I have previously stated it is not up to government to solve all our problems and government is not the source of all the answers. Those who we elect have a responsibility to make applicable decisions within the authority identified in the Constitution. Sometimes there is a thin line as to whether the federal government or the state government has the responsibility to address certain issues. There are cases where the issues require action by both parties. Consumers and businesses today are in tight situations with the present state of the economy but our country has had crises situations in the past. One of the differences that exist now is the fact that we are all so interconnected through the technology of today that we know on a moment´s notice when something happens on the other side the world.
Government involvement in society to some extent may be considered an intrusion if it affects the way companies manage and operate if they are not violating the law. Our society like many others is full of opportunities. These opportunities and the successes or failures are dependent upon all those involved with a company. Every worker or management personnel must work together to provide good products and/or services to the consumer who want or needs them. The degree of success or failure of a company or organization is not the responsibility of government though with some regulations it can increase the opportunity for success.
There are many laws and regulations governing the way companies operate. Rules and regulations against such things as creating a monopoly or price-fixing are examples where government regulation benefits the economy and businesses. Laws and regulations at the state and federal level must meet several criteria. The first criteria to be discussed are if there is a need to be fulfilled that only the government can address. Along with this it must be decided how that need must be met without interfering with the day to day operations of a business. Businesses rely on proper regulation to help them be successful but they do not want interference by the government on how they manage and make decisions based on their circumstances. Competition is an integral part of operating a business and when that competition violates the law the government has the responsibility to prosecute those involved. Prosecution of companies or individuals who violate the law helps to send a signal to others that the law will be upheld. This type of involvement by government either at the state or federal level is welcomed by society.
Another aspect of government involvement is the protection of the consumer. Many laws are in place governing food and other products/services sold to the consumer. When individuals purchase food or other products/services they expect them to be of high quality and safe. In this respect the government regulates the quality and health of the food we eat to protect us against contaminations that can occur in the food processing industry. The Food and Drug Administration has the responsibility to oversee the safety of our food and the drugs we take. Another aspect involves the safety of toys that are manufactured and sold in the United States. Products of this nature must be safe for children to use. The Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from thousands of types of consumer products under the agency´s jurisdiction. This commission is an important function of government and while some may feel that this is an act of intrusion into the business world it is a necessary function. When the way companies operate their business is unsafe or poses risks for the consumer it is the responsibility of government to step in to correct the situation.
The above mentioned government agencies are examples where government involvement is necessary and appropriate. Both the Food and Drug Administration and the Consumer Product Safety Commission fill vital needs of the consumer. The impact of not having these agencies would be far reaching. These are good examples where government involvement in society is needed. The focus of these agencies or organizations is where government involvement should be, protecting the consumer while not interfering with everyday decisions of how companies operate.
One thing that is constant in our economy and the rest of the world is competition. Competition benefits the consumer wherever they are as companies must provide something different than their competitors. This can be anything from quality and price of their products or services to customer service that exceeds the expectations of consumers. Whatever business you are in you must show what makes you different from your competitors. Government must not interfere with this aspect of society through laws, regulation or oversight. Government oversight or involvement regarding government contracts is not intrusion in the way companies operate but it is managing the taxpayer dollars they have spent.
Whenever problems arise in the economy there always seems to be efforts to increase government oversight. Government oversight has its place but it must be done with integrity of purpose. The key is not to have so much oversight that it stifles the competition and hurts the consumer. Government should not be dictating every move a business makes as it will stifle the control an owner has and affects his capability to be marketable and profitable. Though there are businesses that get into trouble it is not the job of the government to bail everyone out. Competition and integrity is what dictates success.
The purpose of establishing a business is to fill a need that consumers have for a product or service. The manner in which this is accomplished involves in most cases competition. Granted there are problems with running any business and mistakes are made. The decisions a company makes should not be questioned by any level of government unless they violate the law. When government starts dictating terms of operations for businesses which affect their ability to keep operating and make a profit it is wrong. While some level of terms are necessary from government to protect the consumer it is not the role of government to solve every crisis in a business. Recently there have been efforts in Congress to get involved with the management of specific businesses as a result of bailout money that was provided. In these instances I feel it is within the power of government to have some say in the operations since government money is involved.
Our economy is basically strong and we will get through these times as we have in the past. The American workers in this country are the ones who will accomplish this. They are talented and experienced to their jobs. Actions by any level of government for the most part have good intentions. I believe that those creating the laws and regulations at the state and federal level want the best for their state and country but government involvement must not hamper the working fabric of our nation. Businesses have been coming and going since our country began and though problems often surface government for the most part must let the consumer dictate who will be successful and who will fail.
Businesses make mistakes but it is learning from those mistakes that make the difference in being successful along with operating with integrity principles. Today I feel the consumer is searching for businesses that operate with integrity principles and provide a good product/service. Along with this there is a need for good customer service that caters to the needs of their customers. A company with a good product or service will lose business to their competitors if the quality of their customer service is lacking. Government cannot fix these issues as it will take a cultural change in philosophy in many companies. Those that make this shift will be successful and those that do not will fail.
The primary role of government is to provide for the security and safety of its citizens among others. When companies and/or the management of companies or corporations make bad decisions it is not the responsibility of government to come to their aid when they get into trouble. Businesses exist to provide a product or service which consumers need or want. The manner in which these are provided affects their success or failure. There are many fine companies who today feel that they should receive some bailouts like the auto and financial industries. They have a point to some extent.
Government involvement in society should be limited. Our country like some others do not routinely bailout companies when things go wrong. Granted there are conditions that are not within the control of businesses which affect their profit margin but they can adjust to some extent. It is the responsibility of government to address the causes of these problems to help bring our economy into a more stable condition. The question that is often raised is how to accomplish this.
As I have previously stated it is not up to government to solve all our problems and government is not the source of all the answers. Those who we elect have a responsibility to make applicable decisions within the authority identified in the Constitution. Sometimes there is a thin line as to whether the federal government or the state government has the responsibility to address certain issues. There are cases where the issues require action by both parties. Consumers and businesses today are in tight situations with the present state of the economy but our country has had crises situations in the past. One of the differences that exist now is the fact that we are all so interconnected through the technology of today that we know on a moment´s notice when something happens on the other side the world.
Government involvement in society to some extent may be considered an intrusion if it affects the way companies manage and operate if they are not violating the law. Our society like many others is full of opportunities. These opportunities and the successes or failures are dependent upon all those involved with a company. Every worker or management personnel must work together to provide good products and/or services to the consumer who want or needs them. The degree of success or failure of a company or organization is not the responsibility of government though with some regulations it can increase the opportunity for success.
There are many laws and regulations governing the way companies operate. Rules and regulations against such things as creating a monopoly or price-fixing are examples where government regulation benefits the economy and businesses. Laws and regulations at the state and federal level must meet several criteria. The first criteria to be discussed are if there is a need to be fulfilled that only the government can address. Along with this it must be decided how that need must be met without interfering with the day to day operations of a business. Businesses rely on proper regulation to help them be successful but they do not want interference by the government on how they manage and make decisions based on their circumstances. Competition is an integral part of operating a business and when that competition violates the law the government has the responsibility to prosecute those involved. Prosecution of companies or individuals who violate the law helps to send a signal to others that the law will be upheld. This type of involvement by government either at the state or federal level is welcomed by society.
Another aspect of government involvement is the protection of the consumer. Many laws are in place governing food and other products/services sold to the consumer. When individuals purchase food or other products/services they expect them to be of high quality and safe. In this respect the government regulates the quality and health of the food we eat to protect us against contaminations that can occur in the food processing industry. The Food and Drug Administration has the responsibility to oversee the safety of our food and the drugs we take. Another aspect involves the safety of toys that are manufactured and sold in the United States. Products of this nature must be safe for children to use. The Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from thousands of types of consumer products under the agency´s jurisdiction. This commission is an important function of government and while some may feel that this is an act of intrusion into the business world it is a necessary function. When the way companies operate their business is unsafe or poses risks for the consumer it is the responsibility of government to step in to correct the situation.
The above mentioned government agencies are examples where government involvement is necessary and appropriate. Both the Food and Drug Administration and the Consumer Product Safety Commission fill vital needs of the consumer. The impact of not having these agencies would be far reaching. These are good examples where government involvement in society is needed. The focus of these agencies or organizations is where government involvement should be, protecting the consumer while not interfering with everyday decisions of how companies operate.
One thing that is constant in our economy and the rest of the world is competition. Competition benefits the consumer wherever they are as companies must provide something different than their competitors. This can be anything from quality and price of their products or services to customer service that exceeds the expectations of consumers. Whatever business you are in you must show what makes you different from your competitors. Government must not interfere with this aspect of society through laws, regulation or oversight. Government oversight or involvement regarding government contracts is not intrusion in the way companies operate but it is managing the taxpayer dollars they have spent.
Whenever problems arise in the economy there always seems to be efforts to increase government oversight. Government oversight has its place but it must be done with integrity of purpose. The key is not to have so much oversight that it stifles the competition and hurts the consumer. Government should not be dictating every move a business makes as it will stifle the control an owner has and affects his capability to be marketable and profitable. Though there are businesses that get into trouble it is not the job of the government to bail everyone out. Competition and integrity is what dictates success.
The purpose of establishing a business is to fill a need that consumers have for a product or service. The manner in which this is accomplished involves in most cases competition. Granted there are problems with running any business and mistakes are made. The decisions a company makes should not be questioned by any level of government unless they violate the law. When government starts dictating terms of operations for businesses which affect their ability to keep operating and make a profit it is wrong. While some level of terms are necessary from government to protect the consumer it is not the role of government to solve every crisis in a business. Recently there have been efforts in Congress to get involved with the management of specific businesses as a result of bailout money that was provided. In these instances I feel it is within the power of government to have some say in the operations since government money is involved.
Our economy is basically strong and we will get through these times as we have in the past. The American workers in this country are the ones who will accomplish this. They are talented and experienced to their jobs. Actions by any level of government for the most part have good intentions. I believe that those creating the laws and regulations at the state and federal level want the best for their state and country but government involvement must not hamper the working fabric of our nation. Businesses have been coming and going since our country began and though problems often surface government for the most part must let the consumer dictate who will be successful and who will fail.
Businesses make mistakes but it is learning from those mistakes that make the difference in being successful along with operating with integrity principles. Today I feel the consumer is searching for businesses that operate with integrity principles and provide a good product/service. Along with this there is a need for good customer service that caters to the needs of their customers. A company with a good product or service will lose business to their competitors if the quality of their customer service is lacking. Government cannot fix these issues as it will take a cultural change in philosophy in many companies. Those that make this shift will be successful and those that do not will fail.