There is a faction among conservative Progressives. People call them (and some call themselves) “GooGoos.” That is, they are the “good government” people.  Paul Krugman, for example. Classic goo goo.

It’s tempting to think of good government, and getting good people in government, as being really important.  My friend William Anderson has some discussion.

But we shouldn’t confuse a “great country” with a “great government.” I argue that, in fact, what makes a country great is the ability of its people to overcome and defeat a government, and elected officials, who suck.