There used to be a saying, "don't make a Federal case out of it." It used to mean something. The Feds are not SUPPOSED to be "the only game in town."

Through most of America's history, people would have asked, "what the hell does the Federal government have to do with our city highway bridge?" As with the Katrina controversy, following the money in Minnesota leads to some small unpleasantness. There seems to be a lot of cash out there for bikeways, light rail, mass transit, and other Enlightened wet dreams. Not so much for fixing roads and bridges for cars. Contempt for the personal automobile is bone-deep in many of those making our transportation decisions. It's worse here in California.

As you point out, our starry-eyed views of Big Government are decades old. We have over two generations who have been trained to drop to their knees and face Washington when any trouble hits. It goes without saying that national politicians are not displeased with this reaction, which enhances their own positions immeasurably. Politicians have nightmares about citizens that are contented, confident, self-reliant, and eager to deal with their own lives and problems.

"All you have to do is what we tell you to," say the leaders, "and we will provide your every need: your food, your housing, your health care, your care in your old age."

A couple hundred years ago, there was another name for this setup.