So, people in rural America hate government intervention in private industry, be they taxes, worker safety regulations, consumer protections, etc. Every good thing that has happened in the last 100 years, they have some philosophical grievance with. So you know what, fine. Let's end a BIG example of interference in the poor oppressed private industry by the big bad government: Rural electrification.
Back in the 30's, there was almost zero interest on the part of power companies in bringing electricity to small-town America. It was simply too expensive. The few places that got electricity got it at exorbitant prices until the Federal government stepped in.
But by the logic of today's rural Americans, they never should have for the following reasons:
1. Providing electricity to rural America is totally expensive. It's more expensive than bringing electricity to urban areas. How dare the Feds tell the poor oppressed power companies how to spend their money. The power companies have the God-given right to choose whether they bring electricity to rural America or not and how much they charge. Damn those Federales for taking that freedom away! 2. There's nothing in the exact text of the Constitution that says the government can make power companies provide rural America with affordable electricity. Even though it benefits millions of people, we shouldn't do it because it's not in the text of the Constitution. Who knows where that would lead? Nazi death camps, that's where! 3. If the government got out of the way, I'm sure someone from the free market will figure something out. If not, rural America being in the dark is still better than the government doing anything. If people had trouble affording electricity, I'm sure charities will manage. And if they don't, people could just move!
4, Something something states’ rights and crazy conspiracies that make no sense.
5. Government making companies provide rural America with affordable electricity kills the rugged individualist spirit! Think of how many innovations in candlemaking are being held back because the Federal Government is demotivating candlemakers by getting electricity to rural America.
So put your money where your mouth is, rural America! All you conspiracy theorists who think the big bad government is out to get you! Tell the government to turn your power off! You don’t need urban bureaucrats from the big bad cities telling power companies they can’t leave you in the dark.
Unless this whole anti-government kick you’ve been on these last couple decades isn’t really about fears of a loss of a freedom, budget deficits, or any of this other crap.