...a thriving middle class.

I'm pro-government. I think government can be one of the nicest inventions of mankind. A benefit to society as a whole. Oh sure, government can be bad, too. Oppressive. But good government -- well, it often serves the public good. Provides basic essentials for the masses of people. The infrastucture. Roads and bridges. Public transit. Health care. Education. Social services. Lately, here in America, we've seen governmnent come to the aid of private enterprise. Bailing out banks and lending institutions and insurance companies, and maybe even the automobile industry. Oh, that might sound like socialism. And maybe it is. But we have to ask, is that good? Yes, it can be. And I think that unfettered capitalism can be bad. Good, too. Maybe we need government and capitalists to balance each other. To see that neither one runs rampant. The advantage of government, run properly, is that it can provide basic services at less cost than profit-minded capitalists. Government doesn't have to be in business to make money. Just to provide service. Good service. Essential service. Capitalists generally are out to pad their pockets. Sometimes to the point of obscene profits. Little wonder that under many capitalist systems there's a wide gap between the rich and the poor. We'll never completely close the gap. But government can narrow the chasm a bit by regulation and by a fair taxing system. By taking from the rich and giving to the poor. In essence, helping to nurture a thriving middle class. --Jim Broede