March 2008Publisher’s View GovernanceBy Steven J. MossMany of us viewed last month’s primary as the beginning of the end of what we considered to be a reign of terror. Lies that led to an unnecessary war; the reduction of public discourse to mono-syllabic grunts; and a stubborn refusal to engage with the world encouraged us to turn our backs on national politics in the hopes that it would just go away. And it did. Over the past seven years there’s been a steady deflation of the federal government’s domestic role. Washington proved itself unwilling to effectively respond to Hurricane Katrina-size domestic humanitarian crises, reform federal health care programs, or come to grips with the emergence of a new era of global environmental problems. Federal withdrawal from critical public problems didn’t make those problems go away. Americans continue to get sick without adequate health insurance, and to grapple with $3.50 a gallon gasoline prices. Many state and local governments, including California and San Francisco, felt obligated to step in to the breach, taking on national, and even international, problems. California adopted huge subsidy programs for energy efficiency and renewable energy, and passed legislation to address global climate change. The City and County of San Francisco developed the capacity to recycle more than half of its waste; and created a publicly-financed health care insurance program for residents. But while municipal efforts to do the right thing are laudable, they can shift attention away from investing in and managing local government’s core functions. While San Francisco tackled global climate change and health care policy, infrastructure deteriorated, schools languished, land use decisions were haphazardly made, and crime rates remained unacceptably high. Cities, even rich ones like San Francisco, simply don’t have the resources to address what have historically, and appropriately, been treated as national problems. Whichever candidate emerges from the Democratic National Convention to make the final dash to the presidency should forcefully lead us towards a resolution of the Iraq War, the creation of a viable health care system, and an improved standing in the world. But just as importantly they should return the federal government back in its proper role. It’s fine for a mayor or supervisor to have an opinion about matters of national importance. But they shouldn’t have to act on those views. Better that they spend their time focusing on issues that no one else will pay attention to, like fixing potholes.
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