It has supplied community groups with city trucks and dumpsters for neighborhood cleanup projects. And we try to get it for them with private resources if possible, and public resources where appropriate. Goldsmith has shown that a humble government is not a limp government, just one that focuses on its core responsibilities and knows its limits. Businesses are better at providing jobs and creating wealth. Churches and families are better at maintaining the social fabric and instilling virtue.
Private companies are often better at providing essential public services.
A humble government accepts its role as a support player. It takes its signals from neighborhood leaders and entrepreneurs. Those mayors, Republicans and Democrats, who have followed Goldsmith's example cutting government and taxes while encouraging competition and community are being rewarded with popularity, electoral success, and national praise. Eric S. Cohen is assistant editor of the Public Interest. Send your comments to him by clicking here.