From Mike Pence
Even the simplest among us knows that this is not so. Power is an instrument of fatal consequence. It is confined no more readily than quicksilver, and escapes good intentions as easily as air flows through mesh. Therefore, those who are entrusted with it must educate themselves in self-restraint. A republic — if you can keep it — is about limitation, and for good reason, because we are mortal and our actions are imperfect.
I think this is what sets my thinking apart from 'progressives' and the left. No matter how noble a goal is, the power necessary to obtain that goal will always find its way into someone's hands who will abuse it. Many times, this abuse isn't even intentional. The bloat of bureaucracy starts to sap away at the intended target as resources are spread around to administrative costs.
The people who are attracted to power are not progressives. They no more care if the poor get a hot meal or medical care as long as they continue to hold the reins of power. And, as I've learned through my own mistakes in my politically active years, power granted to 'your team' is going to be wielded by your opponents. It makes more sense to put people in place who promise to remove the power (a rarity, I assure you) rather than expand benefits that you approve of.
Why is limited government so scary to lefties? What is it you fear so much about allowing local communities and state governments handle rather than attempting to push a one size fits all, command-economy approach?
Hat Tip Jeff G at Protein Wisdom.
It makes more sense to put people in place who promise to remove the power...