Peter Wynn
Aug 8, 2017 · 2 min read

THE RIGHT-WING SMALL GOVERNMENT LIE

Many on the right-wing of politics believe that their parties are that of small government, something that is only the case if you are one of their supporters.

In countries such as Australia and the USA, small government does not extend to areas that are none of the government’s business, such as same-sex marriage. Yes, if a person relies upon government welfare and the rate varies according to whether the person is single or partnered, but does the government have the right to deny access to marriage due to the individual religious beliefs of politicians? To a fair-minded person, the answer is no. A person has the right to their own personal view on marriage, but not to use their religious beliefs to deny people access.

The same can be said for abortion. A politician may choose not to support it for themselves, but not to give the religious right the opportunity to push for denial of access to it, particularly when the woman seeking the abortion has been raped. A woman who falls pregnant due to a rape is not carrying, as some may believe, a “gift from God,” but the seed of a violation and if she does not wish to proceed with the pregnancy, that is her right.

Now, in Australia, there are moves afoot to stop public servants from liking anti-government posts with dismissal being a possible consequence. This is not a case of small government but of Big Brother watching.

The Right-wing of politics is not seeking to have small government but rather to have tight control over the actions of its citizens.

Peter Wynn

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Diagnosed with autism at 35. Explained a lifetime of difference.