tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8304928500646903522.post1593084295299489441..comments2024-03-28T18:32:05.933-04:00Comments on bensozia: CentralizationJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01037215533094998996noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8304928500646903522.post-20758559927955066792010-05-18T10:10:33.881-04:002010-05-18T10:10:33.881-04:00Nor I. But I think there is a danger that enormous...Nor I. But I think there is a danger that enormous institutions could grow (have grown) completely indifferent to what people want, and we need to use the levers we have to prevent that.Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01037215533094998996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8304928500646903522.post-68860381833499473382010-05-18T09:59:14.995-04:002010-05-18T09:59:14.995-04:00"Insist, every chance we get, that our govern..."Insist, every chance we get, that our governments use their power on behalf of ordinary people rather than on behalf of big corporations or themselves."<br /><br />Part of what causes big government, of course, is that "ordinary people" often don't like what other "ordinary people" do, and often with good reason. And if the one group of ordinary people tries to solve what the other group is doing, you get riots, feuds, and factionalism.<br /><br />And I confess I like a lot of what big institutions do for me. I love it that, for my physical security, I can call a group of people who will help me because it's their job. I don't have to have met them and befriended them, I don't have to give them presents and show them "respect." I also love it that, most anywhere in the country, if I can find an establishment with certain recognized symbols (golden arches, etc.), I can expect to go in there and acquire food with relative courtesy, even though the people there won't know me. If you've ever tried to get food in a French village, you know how different the situation can be.<br /><br />Hyperlocal, patronage-based traditional societies are fun to read and think about. But I wouldn't want to live in one.Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08993570411881726772noreply@blogger.com