You know, I consider myself to be a fairly well-read, thoughtful individual. I have never been one to go on a half-cocked tirade against the government. I understand that government=bureaucracy, and that bureaucracy=fubar. But I have always thought that the fubar effect could be managed. But perhaps we have gotten to the point where our government--even what we consider to be our "local" government--has simply grown so huge that at best it is unresponsive, and at worst (like Katrina) it positively becomes a hindrance.

I grew up thinking that the closer government was to the people, the better the response. I'm not sure it makes any difference anymore.

Regards, Vince