In-Home Government
Ronald Reagan once explained that government was a lot like a baby’s alimentary canal all appetite at one end and no responsibility at the other. Mr. Reagan was right. Too bad he can’t pay an in-home visit to Governor James Doyle of Wisconsin.
Governor Doyle wants a new program where government counselors make in-home visits to first time parents to explain just how their newborn babies work. “[T]here is no owner’s manual and no easy step-by-step instructions,” the governor warns. “Parents may not know what services are available to help them, what to expect in terms of their child’s development, and what the warning signs are if there is a problem.”
Truth is, a baby’s warning signs are extremely effective. For thousands of years, even without a government program, parents have been having babies. Still, as a father, hearing that detailed explanation about how babies work might be entertaining. And I might have a few questions, too. One new father, John Germano, wouldn’t mind hearing the spiel, either. Asked about the governor’s proposal, he said, “Sure, just as long as I don’t have money coming out of my pocket” for the program.
Germano adds, “Yeah, babies don’t come with owner’s manuals, but there are people that have taken the drive already and know how to work the car. To tell you the truth, I’d rather listen to a close relative than a practitioner.” But could a close relative actually take the place of a government program? Maybe we need a government program to educate us to the warning signs of foolish government programs.
This is Common Sense. I’m Paul Jacob.
