Let me make it clear: I don't support unfettered growth of any government, state or local or federal. I'm talking about progressive ideas and smart management, regulation and intelligent planning in government. I'm talking about fostering a new attitude to get us away from the assumption that everything American government does leads to trouble. I'm not saying bigger is better. I'm just trying to challenge the assumptions many Americans have from three decades of hearing about the "failed policies of the past, etc." -- that we'd be a lot better off with less government in our lives. Do we really want less regulation by the Food and Drug Administration, fewer food-processing inspections by the US Department of Agriculture? With the population growing the way it is --  300 million by fall, 400 million by 2040 -- do we really want to allow a free-for-all in the development of land, or would we all be better off if Smart Growth had some teeth?  State-supervised auto-emissions testing is a pain in the neck, but there's no question it's necessary. No one wants to deal with poverty or issues like affordable housing. If government doesn't get into that act -- to draw attention, to make a plan, to plant some incentives -- who's going to? One other problem with the anti-government drumbeat: Do we really want to raise another generation to view public service darkly, or would we be better off if those who will end up in charge by the time we Baby Boomers are in assisted living see public service as a noble aspiration?