6:30 a.m. You are awakened by your clock radio. You know it is actually 6:30 because the National Institute of Standards and Technology keeps the official time.
But long before NIST, railroads kept uniform time.
And you can listen to your favorite radio station only because the Federal Communications Commission brings organization and coherence to our vast telecommunications system. It ensures, for example, that radio stations do not overlap and that stations signals are not interfered with by the numerous other devices â" cell phones, satellite television, wireless computers, etc. â" whose signals crowd our nationâ(TM)s airwaves.
And before the FCC, radio was finding it's way towards regulation through homesteading of radio frequencies.
6:35 a.m. Like 17 million other Americans, you have asthma. But as you get out of bed you notice that you are breathing freely this morning. This is thanks in part to government clean air laws that reduce the air pollution that would otherwise greatly worsen your condition.
'Course, if you happen to live near a government-operated power plant, you're out of luck. The states seem to exempt their plants for some reason.
6:38 a.m. You go into the kitchen for breakfast. You pour some water into your coffeemaker. You simply take for granted that this water is safe to drink. But in fact you count on your city water department to constantly monitor the quality of your water and to immediately take measures to correct any potential problems with this vital resource.
Actually, at home I depend upon my own monitoring of my private well. And woe be unto anyone who pollutes the groundwater as they will be providing me with water at their cost. At work, I depend upon a private water company.
6:39 a.m. You flip the switch on the coffee maker. There is no short in the outlet or in the electrical line and there is no resulting fire in your house. Why? Because when your house was being built, the electrical system had to be inspected to make sure it was properly installed â" a service provided by your local government. And it was installed by an electrician who was licensed by your state government to ensure his competence and your safety.
Hmmm... When my house was built, the government inspector missed a bunch of problems. I'm glad the contractor did not -- he fired the sub and made it right. Most of the electrical systems in my home are UL approved -- including the coffemaker. UL is a private agency funded by the insurance industry that does testing.
Your greatest dreams are in the hands of the government everyday.
And those are just the ones from the first 10 minutes after you wake up.
You live in as much of a dream world as those who oppose all government.
