Three reports out yesterday should cause us to question the federal government's ability to manage large-scale economic or social enterprises.

First, sources reported that it is highly unlikely that taxpayers will ever see any of the more than $80 billion in bailout money "loaned" by the federal government to Chrysler, GM, and CIT. That money is simpley gone $80 thousand million.

Second, Americans standing in long lines to receive H1N1 vaccines, many of them being turned away for lack of medicine, were chagrined to learn that vaccine had been sent to Gitmo to make sure the detainees there didn't come down with the flu.

Third, a report from Oregon that the government stimulus program is responsible for "creating or saving" 9,000 jobs in that state was deflated a bit when it was explained that 6,700 of those jobs were with the state government, which is Democratically controlled. An overbloated government takes our tax money to pay another overbloated government to overbloat itself even more - all in the name of economic recovery?

To say the least, such reports do not inspire confidence in our government's ability to manage large projects effectively. But we shouldn't be surprised, because managing large economic and social projects is not what governments are supposed to do. So why are we getting ready to hand over 16% more of our economy over to this government? Because we really aren't very smart? Or because we have just become so used to the idea that government should be able to solve all our problems that this just seems the right thing to do?

It's not right. It won't be just. It will empower government to violate the eighth commandment in the name of compassion and fairness. And at the end of the day, the blame for the mess this will (continue to) make will lay on the shoulders of "we the people."

"The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples. The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD." Psalm 33.10-12

T. M. Moore