Keith Burgess-Jackson, J.D., Ph.D.

Here is an interesting column by Jacob Weisberg. It's human nature to want something for nothing. Nature, however, is not bound to comply with our wants. Each of us wants to enjoy the benefits of government but not pay the costs. We see that other states' senators and representatives are bringing home the bacon, so we expect ours to do the same. Who wants to contribute to a cooperative enterprise without enjoying its fruits? What Weisberg observes is simply ambivalence. Each of us wants more for ourselves, even though we know that it is going to expand the size of government and hence make things worse for everyone (especially future generations). We both want and don't want limited government. Ambivalence is not contradiction; nor is it a sign of ignorance, stupidity, or childishness. I assure you that there are things about which Weisberg is ambivalent, and he would not want to be labeled ignorant, stupid, or childish on that account.