IRRATIONAL SOCIETY

IN 1957, A SUBCOMMITTEE ON FISCAL POLICY PRESENTED A REPORT IN WHICH IT MENTIONED THE FUNCTIONS OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT:
NATIONAL DEFENSE
POLICE PROTECTION
FOREIGN AID AND DEVELOPMENT
PUBLIC HEALTH
RESEARCH
NAVIGATIONAL AIDS AND FLOOD CONTROL
STREETS AND HIGHWAYS
WILDLIFE PRESERVATION
PUBLIC MONUMENTS, BUILDINGS AND PARKS

THE QUESTIONS WERE THEN RAISED: "HOW WOULD A RATIONAL SOCIETY VOTE ON THESE EXPENDITURES? WHICH WOULD CITIZENS AGREE TO FUND THROUGH YOUR TAXES? WHAT PROPORTION OF TAX REVENUE SHOULD BE ALLOTTED TO EACH? DO ELECTED AGENTS CARRY OUT THE WISHES OF THEIR CONSTITUENTS?

IN 2007, I FEAR THAT WE CANNOT ASSUME AMERICA IS A ‘RATIONAL SOCIETY'.