Jake-  less government sure would be good.  It sure would be good if people and businesses were more responsible, a little more concerned with the health and well-being of their neighbors, rather than trying to pocket every dime they can.  But when your neighbor (whether a home mechanic or a petroleum refinery) dumps chemicals into the ground and destroys your water supply...then more government is called for.  And that, my friend, is the short story of more and more government.