As the economy has sputtered the last couple of years, we've seen the private sector contract as companies cut costs to try to stay afloat.
At the same time, we've seen a disturbing trend in the public sector, where government has expanded services into areas that traditionally had been the domain of the private sector.
This trend isn't exclusive to the federal level. We've also seen unprecedented intrusion by state and local government.
Some may say that government is just filling the gap of services left vacant by the shrinking private sector. Others may see a more political motive.
The latter is the only explanation I can see for Ogden city including discount vouchers for private businesses in its water bills.
The Historic 25th Street Business Association was allowed to place 24,000 vouchers in August bills free of charge because Ogden co-sponsors the organization. Ogden's Chief Administrative Officer John Patterson said associations co-sponsored by the city are generally permitted to place inserts in water bills provided the mailer doesn't increase the cost of postage.
In other words, the bills are being sent out anyway, so including the vouchers, or coupons, doesn't cost the city any more money.
Under that logic, why not have police patrols deliver pizza? Heck, they are going to be in the neighborhoods anyway.
No matter how city officials spin this, taxpayers are basically footing the bill to provide advertising for selected businesses.
As for the city being a member of the association, I'm sure other businesses in the Chamber of Commerce, of which the city is also a member, might want the same opportunity.
The city does seem to be within the law in providing such a service.
Jeff Hunt, an attorney for the Society of Professional Journalists, said the justification by the city seems unusual, but it is not a First Amendment issue. David Church, an attorney for the Utah League of Cities and Towns, said such an arrangement "is not unheard of." He declined to comment on the wisdom of providing the service at no charge.
That's the crux of the matter. The Standard-Examiner and direct-mail companies charge for the service of delivering advertising to residents. This is the way commerce works. There is a cost associated with this delivery service, so the advertiser pays for that.
It is one thing if government decides to compete with the private sector. But when that service is provided free of charge, it undermines the whole notion of a free enterprise system.
Mayor Matthew Godfrey says what's good for 25th Street is good for the city. That may be true, but I would say what's good for all businesses and residents in Ogden is good for the city. Singling out certain businesses for assistance in this way can have the opposite effect.
One of the main arguments behind the Tea Party movement is that government has no business determining which businesses are allowed to fail. That should be the function of a free market. Call it financial Darwinism.
When politicians are in office too long, they forget their role. They tend to get comfortable, showing favoritism as they build up their own political alliances under the guise of an "end justifies the means" governance.
This is why we are seeing longtime incumbents in Congress having so much trouble in primary elections this year.
I don't believe in term limits because that's the function of elections.
But even on a local level, elected officials can serve too long and forget who they answer to.
Andy Howell is executive editor. He can be reached at 801-625-4210 or ahowell@standard.net.
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