All the shutdown theatrics from the administration have been well-documented on this site. We've seen absurdities like World War II vets locked out of the memorial to the war they fought, private homeowners evicted because their houses sit on government land, tourists can't park in the federal parking lot near Mount Vernon, and numerous other examples of petty harassment intended to convince us that we not only need government -- we need more government.
Ironically, however, all the carrying on should only reinforce Americans' sense that perhaps the problem is too much intrusive government. For example, why does the government need to own the land on which the Lake Mead houses sit? If the government is going to act like an abusive landlord, why should it buy even more land (with money we don't have)?
During the shutdown, we have witness the bullying of American taxpayers (and business owners) by the National Park Service (reportedly under official orders). Before this, we have seen the IRS bully law-abiding citizens (reportedly NOT under official orders). Either way, it's unbecoming the government of a free people.
Most frightening of all, it raises serious questions about the government's ability honestly and fairly to administer our health care -- as it now increasingly undertakes to do. Will the same kinds of federal employees who have been in evidence forcing Americans out of their homes and away from their memorials -- or who have harassed law abiding taxpayers simply because they are conservative -- now be in charge of overseeing critical health care decisions?
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