Time vs. Money

Writing at  National Journal’s website, Matthew Dowd makes a compelling case for a reassessment of our values, focusing on the importance of time in helping people, rather than money. I wholeheartedly agree. It is particularly important that those of us who believe government should be limited to core services are generous with our individual time and talents, especially when it involves seniors.

Yes, the way we allocate the federal budget is important, and so is the way we take care of citizens in our society, especially the poor and vulnerable. But maybe instead of arguing for a new prescription benefit for an elderly shut-in, we make a personal visit and spend some time with them. Instead of always talking about holding politicians accountable for Social Security, we might want to hold the hand of someone suffering from Alzheimer’s and give them a personal sense of security. The Spanish poet and philosopher George Santayana once said, “Old places and old persons in their turn, when spirit dwells in them, have an intrinsic vitality of which youth is incapable, precisely, the balance and wisdom that come from long perspectives and broad foundations.”

“I know why they made the law, but it’s such a hassle.”

North Carolina teenagers are being introduced to the concepts of too much regulation and the unintended consequences that inevitably come when good intentions seek to use government power as a way to avoid risk. The graduated licensing program for teen drivers was passed in reaction to fatal car crashes involving teenagers. But now, as teens and parents seek to comply with requirements to log driving hours — that’s right, log driving hours — in order to shed the requirement for front-seat supervision, teens and parents are realizing that legislators’ good intentions translate into onerous, confusing regulations for the targets.

The DMV has not explained the new logs to teens who have learner’s permits. Blank forms for the required logs have not been distributed.

“I know plenty of kids who don’t even know this law exists, and they haven’t started logging,” said Christina Goudreau, 15, who got her permit last October. “I know why they made the law, but it’s such a hassle.”

It looks like a “fix” will be made next month when legislators return to Raleigh. I hope teenagers remember this lesson and realize we must think carefully before reacting to risk by passing laws and regulations that come with an onerous web of compliance rules for the target audience –in this case,  the vast majority of whom will never be in a car accident as a teen —  yet are still required to negotiate the bureaucracy.

John Edwards Can’t Afford Him?

NPR reports that former White House lawyer Greg Craig is off the John Edwards defense team and that “friends” say one reason is that Edwards can’t afford him. Attorney Abbe Lowell is in, and I think politico.com hits on a more believable reason for the switch.

Lowell, who recently rejoined Chadbourne & Parke, is currently representing former Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.) in an investigation into very similar claims that gifts made in connection with an affair he had may have actually been campaign donations. Ensign has not been indicted. Lowell also handled high-profile cases involving lobbyist Jack Abramoff and another involving the prosecution of two pro-Israel lobbyists for allegedly illegally handling classified information.

Regardless of who argues the case, I continue to be skeptical of the prosecution’s case that the cash to hide Rielle Hunter was a violation of campaign finance law. Edwards’ actions are despicable and deceitful, but I’ll be surprised if they’re deemed criminal by a court.

More Intolerance From the Left

Will radical Leftist Rep. Maxine Waters be pressured to apologize for her hateful, intolerant speech about people with whom she disagrees? It’s doubtful. Notice the cheers she receives for her intolerance. Would a fiscal conservative who said this about Rep. Waters be pressured to apologize? Of course.