The best government...

Is a government by social contract, that sweet spot where the people give over certain rights and privileges in return for a modicum of safety and security. Whether you subscribe to the (more conservative) view that elected officials are there to do the bidding of the people, or the (progressive) ideal that elected officials are entrusted by voters to "use their best judgement" on issues of importance, there's no doubt that a Democracy is healthiest when all parties are reading from the same play book.


What never works out well, is government by threat. To whit:

(Houstonians could lose water if drainage fee not paid, Bradley Olson, ChronBlog)

"If you owe money to the city of Houston, it's going to be much easier if you just pay us now, because I'm going to be coming to look for the money," Parker said. She noted that council would be presented with a tentative plan to overhaul how all delinquent city fees and fines are collected next week.

Pardon me if the idea of an infuriated Mayor Parker, angrily fist-shaking at scofflaws in one of her many pant-suits, fails to inspire a sense of awe. Instead I can't help but think: "Wow, this has been a REALLY bad last few months for Herroner hasn't it?"


Perhaps the biggest lesson to be learned here is that things work best for politicians when they tell the truth. And by truth we mean the whole truth, not the $5 per household/non-intrusive "happy" drainage fee fantasy that was fast-tracked to the public, swallowed without question by the media and InterLeft, Despised by the Bloggers O' the Right, without allowing for a full vetting of the plan by both friend and foe.

Oh, and threats always, ALWAYS sound silly coming from public servants. Unless you're LBJ (and have Hubert H. Humphrey's pecker in your pocket) leave the threats at home.