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I listen with a wary ear when politicians tell me they think the government should be run like a business. They say, we, the taxpayers, are shareholders; they say we must all tighten our belts when the going gets tough. It’s a false comparison. To compare running the government to the running of a nonprofit business is a far better comparison. A nonprofit serves stakeholders. A nonprofit must prioritize needs and make allocations based on need. This is the role of Congress when it comes to appropriating funds.
Do we need to fund infrastructure? Do we need to fund Homeland Security? Do we need to fund the Affordable Care Act? The needs of our country are great and the needs of our citizens, who are the stakeholders of our tax system, need to be protected. As taxpayers, our return on investment is a quality school system, well-maintained roads and bridges, equal opportunity and the health and safety of our neighbors and ourselves. To endorse the running of government like a business is a nice sound bite that seems reasonable but doesn’t hold up.
As a small-business owner, I make decisions everyday with regard to my bottom line and expenses – and I do so within the framework of regulations that prohibit me from stepping on your rights just so I can make more money. Ideally, we work together for the greater good of all of us. As you prepare to vote in upcoming elections, I hope you will contemplate which candidates utter political speak, and which candidates seek to represent us all equitably, and who will prioritize our needs thoughtfully.
Candace Richerson
Durango
