Hurricane Sandy and the Myth of the Big Government-vs.-Small-Government Debate

rollingstone.com — In the abstract, most Americans want a smaller and less intrusive government. In reality, what Americans really want is a government that spends less money on other people. Hurricane Sandy is a perfect, microcosmic example of America's attitude toward government. We have millions of people who, most of the year, are ready to bash anyone who accepts government aid as a parasitic welfare queen, but the instant the water level rises a few feet too high in their own neighborhoods, those same folks transform into little Roosevelts, full of plaudits for the benefits of a strong state. The truth is, nobody, be he rich or poor, wants his government services cut.

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