“Big government is evil, period.”
That is utter nonsense and IS NOT “conservative” per se. There is NOTHING intrinsically EVIL about “Big government” anymore than there is in a firearm. It is only “evil” in the hands of the wrong persons. Also, the “type” of “big government” is an important factor.
In my thinking, a “big federal government” is NECESSARY (at least at some level) for us to maintain a LARGE standing military to protect us from foreign threats and maintain superpower status. A “balanced” conservative of the Reagan variety wants a very strong and large military.
Now do I want large federal “social programs” and meddlesome agencies like the EPA? NO, OF COURSE NOT! However, although I consider that type of “big government” to be wasteful spending and an unnecessary debt increaser....I don’t consider it evil...just undesirable.
I consider persons that want to cut the military to be at a minimum foolish, and at worst traitors. That is the kind of idiocy Rand Paul and his libertarian ilk want. IF you agree with jepordizing this country’s security by downsizing the military to save money or because you are paranoid to think it will be used against you....you are deluded or a potential traitor as well. To maintain a large military requires maintaining a “big government”....like I previously stated...at some level. Enough to support that military.
A Department of Education, an Energy Department, a HUD or an EPA or BIA are not necessary to maintain a large standing military.
We could get by with a far smaller federal government and still have an effective military.
Okay, now I know why the Dept. of Education, the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U. S. Forest Service, The E.P.A., the IRS, agents of the Comptroller of the Currency (bank examiners) and every other alphabet agency has armed agents and SWAT teams.
Thank you for clarifying that /sarc.