We neglect government at our own peril [Capital (Annapolis, MD)]

I have long thought that it is really easy to be a conservative legislator, because the more conservative one is the easier it is to non-legislate. They want a small government, so they just have to vote no as they did on President Barack Obama's health care reform or his jobs bill.

First District Congressman Andy Harris is in lock step with no votes and wants health care repealed. When GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney says he wants to make the federal government "inconsequential," he is in good company with his congressional compatriots.

Similarly, Delegates Ron George and Herb McMillan vote no on just about everything, including state aid for Annapolis' struggling Market House, county schools and environmental programs.

There is no reason to do extensive research on legislation, no reason to compromise and no reason to want anything to pass that requires government to be active.

They view, correctly, that the smaller the public sector the larger is the more valued private sector. Even their strong support in Washington, D.C., for national defense and closer to home for police and fire is designed to protect the private sector from interference and harm. But overall, government is the enemy, a robber of liberty, and thus a target for undoing.

But the logic of the unregulated private sector and market is this: the strong survive and prosper. They certainly can best fend for themselves. In addition, a congenial, small government means tax breaks to those they say create wealth - defined of course as the economic movers and shakers. Money talks in America. Some swim while others sink.

The middle class shrinks and the lower class swells. Both suffer. Median family income has shrunk for the past three decades, a period largely dominated by conservative ideology. There is angst and anger abroad in the land.

Paradoxically, much of this is directed at government for doing and taxing too much. This result, it must be said, shows the brilliance of right-wing propaganda in channeling angst. For conservatives, a government conveniently under opposition leadership becomes the source of national malaise. It's like blaming the doctor for the disease.

The sense of an American community, a commonwealth, has fragmented. Class interests have raised their ugly heads and dominate thought and actions. Few feel good about themselves.

The well-to-do feel threatened (or guilty) by rising populist hostility, with the Occupiers seen as only the tip of the iceberg. The less-well-off feel victimized and become easy targets for nurturing their hate.

Does all this have any relevance for Annapolis and Anne Arundel County? Of course! City government operates under a hostile environment, on the defensive and stifling innovation.

Much more could and should be done to plan for infrastructure redevelopment (although City Council has made a belated, but good, start). The water treatment and delivery system needs attention. A sidewalk repair program still awaits. Further plans are needed for economic development, nurturing the struggling Annapolis business community and creating jobs. More really must be done to manage stormwater runoff, thus helping restore the health of our vital Chesapeake Bay. Some of these issues face the county as well.

Worse, the severe partisanship that infects state and national politics, although it has yet to make many inroads into city and county government, will undoubtedly soar in 2013, Annapolis' next election, and in 2014 when there will be state and county contests.

Checks and balances are good. Political parties are needed to organize the public will. The private sector is where we live. But we should not forget that the private sector is needed to direct and support the public sector that protects us, educates us, provides water and waste disposal for us, resolves disputes for us, employs us, celebrates us, ensures elderly and veteran health care for us, provides Social Security for us, and serves to aid those less fortunate.

In short, government is us and we neglect it at our peril. Peace, security, liberty and justice do not thrive without it functioning well. Government needs less tearing down and more observant care and support.

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The writer has written extensively for other publications and is chairman of the Annapolis Democratic Central Committee.