Commentary By Samuel Strait – Reporter at Large – January 1, 2021, Cartoon Credits to: libertyclick.org and Eric Allie; and thefederalistpapers.org While at a meeting this afternoon the question was posed, " Is our government at all levels to big and cumbersome?" Have we reached a point in time where our governments at the federal, state and local levels are no longer beneficial to the people they purport to govern? Another question might be asked, do our representatives actually represent us any longer, or is it the legions of bureaucrats that fill government buildings really the ones that call the shots? I am left wondering too often after witnessing the perplexed expressions on our leadership's faces when even the simplest of questions leaves them at a loss for words. Too often followed by, " I'll get the bureaucrats right on that one and get back to you." Who are these people behind the public presence of our elected that seem to have a great deal to say about how things are run? And why is it they are so absolutely critical to the apparent dysfunction that so often graces decision making at all levels of government. I have lived in this County for nearly fifty years and never became aware of the level of corruption and absolute disdain that public representatives now display on regular occasions towards those they are supposed to be representing. There is no longer any effort by the elected to consider the optics that are evident in every decision made. It is almost, that is what we have been told to do and those that we represent DO NOT MATTER IN THE SLIGHTEST. This has become the prevailing attitude among not only the local political establishment, but at the state and national level as well. When bad decisions are made from a government, it does not just affect a single person, but 325,000,000 at the national level, 39,000,000 at the state level, 27,000 at the county level, and 6,673 in the City of Crescent City. While I understand that there are large swaths of people, a majority of which occupy the cities in this Country, which appear incapable of making decisions within their own lives and depend on government to do it for them. This growing number of powerless, incapacitated, impotent, and helpless people in this Country find it necessary to call on government to make them feel functional. This group is not restricted in any way to the homeless, the needy, the disadvantaged, or any other incapacitated member of the Country's population, as many fairly well educated, well off and successful people find themselves attracted to the "nanny state". For some reason, the idea of becoming a responsible, independent, and self functioning individual has become "too" difficult for those to contemplate. I know most people have found that government is not the best arbiter of ones fate at one time or another, yet remain blinded to the fact that so often they are unaware of the constant unintended negative consequences of government action on their lives. Government has become almost like a drug for many that appears to take life's problems away as if by magic, never realizing that drugs eventually have a nasty habit of bring about disaster and bad out comes the next day, or week, or even month. It is hard to stand by and see the growth of government over my life time and see the destruction it has wrought on this Country and even here to us at the local level where government has become a maze of Councils, Boards, Authorities, and Commissions. One almost needs a score card to keep track of what each is responsible for or even necessary. Has there come a time in this Country's history where our governments are "too big", "too" unresponsive", and no longer beneficial at any level. Perhaps this will help…. I saw a cartoon that was meant to be funny, yet it captured the state of our government's desperate need to be substantially reduced at all levels. You will find this cartoon in the online version of "Townhall" by Steve Kelley. It portrays average Mom and Dad watching the evening news. The broadcaster says, "2021 was a year of record Covid deaths, relentless crime, the Afghanistan debacle, a crisis at our border, runaway gas prices, and crippling inflation…" The Mom comments, "Who knew this year could make 2020 look like the good old days…" It is sad that this is a representation of our government in action at the national level, yet state and local governments have achieved even less. What we are paying for should shame us all, including those responsible for this growing fiasco. I ask the question again, is it time to reduced the scope and reach of government in this Country? Maybe it is long past due….