Posted by: thepinetree on 09/08/2012 10:24 AM
Updated by: thepinetree on 09/08/2012 10:25 AM
Expires: 01/01/2017 12:00 AM
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How Government "Helps" People Who Wish To Be Producers ~By Dennis B. Dooley
Angels Camp, CA...For those who know me, know that I have very little patience for governmental programs that are designed around a never-ending process that seldom, if ever, produces any results. So much of government programs are set up on process as a priority, and results are secondary. I have dealt with numerous programs designed to help small public water systems. These water systems are told that they might get funding that will reimburse them for their initial engineering reports and application costs, but only if they are successful in persevering until the end. If they don’t persevere until the end, or if they fail to make the cut, then none of their costs and efforts are covered. This is almost always a cripping financial disaster for these small systems, and therefore, they do everything they can to avoid beomg sucked into this destructive plan...
Once they get “accepted” for an application, they must follow a rigid flow chart that includes tens, if not hundreds of steps, many which will take weeks or months to complete and cost a lot more money, still with no guarantee of success. Once completed, the government will then decide if the water system will get a full grant (aka: 100% loan forgiveness), a partial grant, or a low or no interest loan. On top of that, the costs and requirements will likely be many times higher than if the water system could qualify for a non-government loan. For many of these systems, this is the only hope of gaining financing, and they are “over the barrel” as they have nowhere else to turn. This same requirement applies whether it is a water system, wastewater system, a county/city road or bridge, park, cemetery, or any other system owned by a special district, a county, city, state or any other publicly owned entity. Also, this type of program allows the government to "control" of these systems.
The same thing goes for “shovel ready” projects that President Obama so proudly proclaims. If an entity has a “shovel ready” project already planned and applies for the money, that entity, if selected, gets to get in front of the line to begin the required steps of the flow chart of the particular government funding program that will still take months or years to complete. Again, the costs and requirement will be much greater than what it would cost if private funding could be obtained and the project built without government "control". If some entity is able to get the support of a government official high enough to have the power to ramrod the funding through, bypassing all the required steps for funding, it can be done, but it is still quite rare even for Obama and his executive branch.
Earlier this year I published a book of my father’s writings. He had a incredible 20th Century journey. After retirement, he was urged to write about his life and he did so, unbeknownst to everybody. After his death in 1996 I was charged to take charge of his desk where I found drawers full of hand written stories and poems. The stories were mostly true stories about his journeys and struggles, but he occasionally wrote a few fictitious stories. Dad had a rock hard attitude of relying on himself and not the government for his needs. He, like so many others of his generation, thought that many of the government regulations and requirements were unnecessary and burdensome. Some 20 or so years ago he wrote a short story about a 49er who tried to build a Conestoga wagon to come across the country to California for the gold rush, but he had to build it under current-day regulations. This story, in an amusing and sad way, portrays the madness of today’s requirements.
A Fantasy: What if the 49ers Had to Conform to Today’s Regulations?
by Dick Dooley
“Pa, aren’t we ready to start to California?” Little freckled faced Jimmy danced with impatience as he waited for his father’s reply, which was slow in coming.
Will Cameron, surveying the Conestoga Wagon loaded with supplies, glanced from there to the three yoke of oxen standing in the shade of an aged cottonwood tree.
“No, son,” he replied, “We still have to check with some of the governmental agencies before we can leave.”
“Then let’s hurry, Pa. If we don’t get moving soon the gold will be all gone by the time we get to California.”
“Keep your shirt buttoned, boy. I’m on my way to check with OSHA, the Department of Health, Education & Welfare, and then the Environmental Protection Agency. We want to do what is right; there ain’t no use getting off on the wrong foot. Tell your ma I’ll be back directly.” So saying, Big Will pulled up his homespun britches and trudged off toward town. Several hours later little Jimmy spotted his pa on his way back to the wagon. Unable to contain himself, he ran to meet him. “Did you get it all done?” little Jimmy asked impatiently.
“No, son, I’ve spent all day with OSHA,” Big Will replied, “and we’ve sure got a lot of work to do before our wagon will pass their inspection.”
Several days of feverish activity followed. First, they installed a stairway that could be lowered to the ground, the steps evenly spaced so as not to exceed more than eight inches. Next, a handrail was installed on each side of the stairway. Then, metal fenders were placed over each wheel to prevent any mud from splattering the wagon and its occupants; wire guards were fastened to each wheel to prevent anyone getting an arm or a leg between the spokes. Each bow that held the canvas cover was reinforced with metal strips. The canvas was strengthened with an additional layer and impregnated with a waterproof solution. After that, double safety locks were installed on the end gates, both front and rear. The wagon tongue was padded and wrapped with several inches of cotton to prevent brusing any of the oxen. Another set of brakes was also installed as a backup to the original ones. The wagon seat had to be fitted with extra sides and back, and safety belts installed. After that, the entire wagon box was sanded and given several coats of non-toxic enamel to prevent slivers. Finally, a place was fixed to display a copy of safety regulations, an emergency first aid kit was added, and a copy of the insurance papers enclosed.
After complying with OSHA, Big Will headed for the Health Department. Some time later, he returned with a list of things necessary to comply with the Health Department rules. All food had to be enclosed within air tight containers, drinking water had to be chlorinated, and all milk from the family cow had to be pasteurized. Under no circumstances were buffalo chips to be used for fuel. A sanitary toilet was to be carried, but it was not to be used within one hundred feet of the living area. All eating and cooking areas were to be enclosed with wire netting, and all dishes were to be sterilized after using. All perishable food was to be kept refrigerated, and all meat was to be inspected by USDA.
The sanitary toilet was not to be dumped except in designated areas.
By the time all these rules were complied with, Big Will was becoming uneasy. The season was so far advanced that he wondered if they could reach California before the winter snows closed the mountain passes. Wearily, he trudged to town again and sought out the Fire Marshall. First, he had to have a fire permit, and all fires were to be confined within a metal stove with an approved smoke jacket and spark arrestor. All grass and debris must be cleared for at least twenty feet in all directions before starting a fire. An approved fire extinguisher would have to be available at all times.
Next stop was at the Environmental Protection Agency. There, he was told that all feces from the cow and oxen must be gathered and placed in plastic bags until they could be disposed of in a sanitary manner. The stove must be equipped with a scrubber to eliminate any toxic emissions. All ruts left by the wagon wheels must be filled in and smoothed over.
By this time Big Will has a decided sag to his shoulders, but he gamely headed for the Fish & Game Department to purchase a hunting license. He was informed that his license would entitle him to one deer, male only, and at least two points. If he wished to try for an antelope, buffalo or elk, he must wait for a drawing. If he wished to hunt waterfowl, he must purchase a duck stamp.
Finally, the day arrived when all was in readiness. Big Will was hooking up the oxen to the overburdened wagon when two men rode up and identified themselves as agents from the Internal Revenue Service. “We had a good deal of trouble finding you,” said one of the men. “You failed to file an estimated income statement for the corn crop raised on your farm last year, so you have a penalty to pay. Also, you didn’t pay a Capital Gains Tax on the farm you sold. According to our records, you paid one dollar an acre and sold for ten dollars an acre, so you have a Capital Gains Tax of nine dollars an acre.”
Big Will made a gesture of despair. “I have no money to pay with,” he said, “I spent it all getting this outfit together and fixing it to comply with all the regulations.”
“In that case,” the first IRS man replied, “we will have to put a hold on your assets until such time as you are able to pay.”
Big Will pulled his gun, stuck the muzzle to his temple and pulled the trigger. This, he thought, would at least enable his family to go on welfare along with all the other benefits such as food stamps, rental assistance and full medical coverage.
This story illustrates the frustration that many people have with our government and its regulations. It is somewhat ironic that this was written some 20+ years ago, long before the current Obama Administration. It is my hope that this story will be forwarded to as many people as possible to illustrate the absurdities that all of us have to deal with. It also illustrates why most ordinary people are unable to tackle worthwhile projects that could have been done in years past.
If anyone is interested in the book, it is 280 pages long and is available at Amazon. Go to the books section and put in
“A Hard Ride – An Incredible 20th Century Life’s Journey” by Richard E. “Dick” Dooley. This was organized and background written by his son, Dennis Dooley, posthumously. Dad journeyed on foot across America in 1922 and settled on a Homestead in the high country in NW New Mexico. There he cowboyed, played professional baseball, rodeoed. He married his wife (my mother) and they lost their first son at eight months old, came to California during the Depression where he always had a job even if they seldom lasted long. He refused to accept any handouts whatsoever, especially from the government. During World War II he was drafted into the Navy and was selected to serve on Admiral Nimitz’s intelligence staff as a cryptographer decoding Japanese messages. After the War he tried several businesses but failed. He became a salesman and did very well, but his heart was always focused on this rural ranching days of his youth. He was eventually offered a position to be a minor partner and manager of a large cattle ranch in NE Utah which he gladly accepted. In his early sixties, the ranch was sold and he again had to rely on his wits until he was qualified for social security. He then moved to Northern California to be near his children and grandchildren. In retirement, he joined the local writing club where he honed his very delightful way of writing. While there, all of the other writers urged him to write about his life. No one knew the extent of his writing until after his death. I was entrusted with his desk and was amazed to find drawers full of hand written stories and poetry on mostly scrap pieces of paper.
The government never gets simpler, only more complex. It is my hope that the above story gets forwarded to illustrate a fantastical tale of one pioneer’s situation and how modern regulations too often hurt and sifle initiative.
Dennis Dooley
P. O. Box 1258
Angels Camp, CA 95222
Email: dbdooley@sbcglobal.net
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