Decisive Government Action? I Think Not!

This story made me think again about all the things we were taught in school that are just plain absolutely wrong.

The government never takes initiative on its own. The official educational line is something like, “The government noticed that some citizens were not getting equal opportunities, so they passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964.”

The truth is, the government never takes action until either it is forced to (by threats such as rebellion and revolution) or there is sufficient lobbying and campaign donations.

In the above case, “The government” (i.e. both houses of congress) fought equal rights legislation tooth and nail — both parties. They only relented when it became inevitable — and there were riots in the streets, protest marches such as Rev. ML King’s to Selma, AL, and sufficient headlines and newscasts to make everyone opposed look like the lowest form of scoundrel.

THEN they finally jumped on board and signed legislation.

The major issues like ending Prohibition and legalized gambling were settled on a state-by-state level with the Federal Government declining to take a part in the issue until a sufficient number of states repealed laws against these “vices” and it was inevitable that soon all states would be breaking federal law.

You name it, and the government has dragged their feet on it.

The only people that never come around are the idealists who write and sell text books — and that is a whole ‘nother story about pressure and undue influence.