Retro

Retrogression is in order, esp. on the cusp of the 'O's speech to re-jumpstart the economy. In it, unfortunately, we will hear about fear and the consequent need of big brother's help. "The government is not an insurer of its citizens against the hazards of the elements." Neither the 'O' nor President Coolidge who said this after a November flood especially in Vermont, in 1927, can prevent an act of God's nature. Coolidge also said in his State of the Union address in December of that year of the Vermont flood, a state might receive relief when overburdened, but ... "this however does not mean restoration." The autonomy and sanctity of the individual as well as the individual state remained paramount to Coolidge. Too bad we can not regress, because in this time, 2011, our big 'O' puts big government first, foremost and always ahead of individual responsibility and states' rights. Effecive flood prevention and appropriate road-building measures were eventually enacted by Coolidge the next spring, but states took the lead in their recoveries. Goverment's role should be a limited one.