Seven habits of highly ineffective government

[Geee]

Washington Examiner:

Stephen Covey, the management guru who died this week, would have had a hard time selling his books in Benjamin Franklin's America, or Abe Lincoln's. His best-selling book, "7 Habits of Highly Effective People," would have been considered self-evident, full of truths drummed into earlier Americans by schools, churches and the Puritan ethic.

Today, Covey's thoughts about how to succeed seem innovative, despite their long history and proven track record. His work is a rebuke to the notion that government can do it all for you.

Contrast Covey's ethic with what President Obama said during a campaign stop in Roanoke last Friday: "If you've got a business -- you didn't build that. Somebody else made that happen." He mentioned roads and bridges as examples. Did he mean we should thank government for the structures, because without them we might not be able to travel to a job interview, or to work? The subplot in the president's campaign remarks seems to be that none of us can make it without government. So what happens to those who do manage to succeed on their own? Are they to be taxed and regulated to death as a lesson to other upstarts?

As I read the president's remarks, I thought of those in my life who have helped me. My parents, of course; they remained married and taught me about thrift, paying bills on time and personal responsibility. There were also high school and college teachers who inspired me.

Journalistic mentors included David Brinkley, Frank McGee and Sander Vanocur. These accomplished broadcast journalists started small and seemed to succeed without much, if any, government help. Many of their generation benefited from the GI Bill, a government-funded resource that helped pay for college for returning World War II veterans. But unlike most government aid programs, the GI Bill assisted initiative, it didn't replace it.

Later, a newspaper publisher -- Tom Johnson -- opened the door for me as a columnist. He didn't sell it. I sold it by visiting scores of newspaper editors around the country, telling conservative audiences to subscribe to the paper when it started carrying me. That would fit under Stephen Covey's No. 1 principle: be proactive.

A financial adviser helped me make good investments so I could take care of my wife and myself should I ever decide to retire (liberals, don't hold your breath). It was money I earned, not money government gave me.

Government that is too large and controlling stifles ambition and initiative by penalizing success.