OK Corral vs. Big Brother

A couple of weeks ago, I was speaking with Darrell Beck, a lifetime Ramona resident, after a meeting we both attended. I have the greatest respect for Darrell, and I was enthralled as he regaled me with the lifestyle and philosophy of growing up in Ramona. He spoke of rugged individualism, neighborly concern for each other, selfless assistance, accountability, respect and a healthy disdain for government, authority, regulation and interference with property rights and freedoms. This is certainly an ideal social quilt, where contracts are consummated by handshake, law breakers are met with swift and appropriate justice and people are able to depend on each other without intrusive laws, regulations and authorities. Certainly a palpable and inviting Jeffersonian utopia.

My life experience, however, is different. I was raised in the South Bronx of New York City, where stacked humanity in high rise tenements exponentially magnify the worst traits of humanity. You walk the urine-stenched, dirty and graffiti-ridden hallways, dodge the garbage being thrown from windows and worry about getting mugged on your way to work or school all the while wondering if, while you are gone, some nefarious individuals have broken into your apartment and robbed you of your privacy, solitude and valuables.

Without graphically comparing the environments and lifestyles, there is created by this contrast a dichotomy of necessity. I call it the "OK Corral vs. Big Brother" dilemma. In my previous world of urban tensions and strained interactions, we welcomed the cop on every corner, the Housing Authority regulations, the oppressive rules and regulations and the total control of our existence. Only in this way could we have security, safety and livable surrounding. This was only possible through government intervention penning up in a cage of control the natural tendencies of urban collectivism to allow negative human traits, which are legion, to fester and multiply with all related impacts.

The point of this verbal exercise in contrasting environments is that there is no cookie cutter "perfect" government size or level of involvement for all people and all environs. Places like Ramona (which I now enjoyably call home) would certainly thrive with limited government control and regulation, being a place where people can count on each other to provide assistance when you yourself cannot meet your needs and parents raise their kids with respect and awareness.

Places like New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles and other urban centers, where your "neighbors" would rather throw you from your fire escape and steal your stuff than help you, require extensive, heavy-handed government intervention to ensure a semblance of orderly existence.

I have chosen to live in a place like Ramona rather than NYC because the Darrell Beck version of life, akin to a mythical Mayberry RFD, is so much more desirable. However, as much as I agree with limiting the role of government and regulation in our lives when that limited involvement satisfies the actual need, I cannot demonize those who believe that government provides and should provide a platform of stability and support, as that view is such an integral part of success in so many people's lives throughout this land, especially for those not fortunate enough to live in a place like Ramona.

So when you chastise government, government programs and regulations which do not make sense for Ramonans, please remember that for many, many people throughout this land, government regulations and rules are their lifeboat and the only way to ensure orderly and productive lives and opportunity.

I certainly cherish the rugged individualism and accountability of the "OK Corral" mentality, but am able to appreciate the need in so many quarters for "Big Brother." The only logical answer is "right-sized" government at the local level with limited "cookie-cutter" federal or even state control. Each community has different needs, different desires and different skill sets. After all, government governs best which governs closest to the people it represents.