And What Has The Government Ever Given To Us?

Sometimes, a bit of Monty Python answers all the mysteries of the universe:

- And what have they ever given us in return?

– The aqueduct?

– What?

– The aqueduct.

– Oh. Yeah, they did give us that. That’s true, yeah.

– And the sanitation.

– Oh, yeah, the sanitation, Reg. Remember what the city used to be like?

– I’ll grant you the aqueduct and sanitation, the two things the Romans have done.

– And the roads.

– Yeah, obviously the roads. I mean the roads go without saying, don’t they? But apart from the sanitaion, the aqueduct and the roads…

– Irrigation.

– Medicine.

– Education.

– Yeah, yeah, all right, fair enough.

– And the wine.

– That’s something we’d really miss, Reg, if the Romans left.

– Public baths.

– And it’s safe to walk in the streets at night now.

– They certainly know how to keep order. Let’s face it, they’re the only ones who could in a place like this.

– All right, but apart from sanitation, medicine, education, wine, public order, irrigation, roads, the fresh-water system and public health, what have the Romans ever done for us?

Next time someone sends you one of those craptastic chain mail specials carping about how government never did anyone for anyone, send them this column from Bob Herbert along with a link to the above clip from Life of Brian.

And then ask them when the last time was that they drove on a federal interstate highway, or enjoyed the safety and defense of our national security apparatus or fine military establishment or federal law enforcement officials on the job. Or what sort of public school system anyone in their family may have benefited from or how they enjoy their mail delivery. And then see if they STFU.

Peterr | Sunday February 15, 2009 12:32 pm 1

I have this dream that during a big budget debate, after Boehner or one of the GOP has finished bleating about the evils of government, one of the progressives in the House takes the floor and shows this clip in response.

This country needs Monty Python on C-SPAN.

Christy Hardin Smith | Sunday February 15, 2009 02:16 pm 2

In response to Peterr @ 1

I think this country just needs more Monty Python, period. Honestly, it would solve a lot of problems…or at least dull the pain with a lot of laughs, anyway.

Bluetoe2 | Sunday February 15, 2009 03:21 pm 3

My relatives and friends in Europe say there’s no need for Monty Python anymore. All they have to do is watch the imbeciles in the U.S. for all their laughs. I’m sure they are referring to the “dead enders” and not anyone on the Lake.

laurastrand | Sunday February 15, 2009 03:33 pm 4

At least with the Monty Python there was no throng of media types with endless opportunities to “catipult the propaganda.”

SanderO | Sunday February 15, 2009 03:52 pm 5

Christy,

Who is responsible for moderation and why are posts moderated?

SanderO | Sunday February 15, 2009 03:53 pm 6

I am very disturbed because at the book salon one of the authors made the statement that she is going to work for the re election of Mayor Bloomberg and she calls herself a progressive. Ha?

When I objected politely, all my posts were left in moderation.

What gives?

RevBev | Sunday February 15, 2009 04:19 pm 7

In response to SanderO @ 6

I do not think you were left in “moderation”. I thought I read that you recieved an answer/explanation.

moistenedbink | Sunday February 15, 2009 06:08 pm 8

Oh, we need an American version of Monty Python to cut through the corporate/political bullshit. SNL just doesn’t do it anymore because corporate ownership of the airwaves won’t allow it. That is, of course, why corporate/political powers all over the world are trying to shut down or censor the internet because a fair exchange of ideas among the common folk just won’t do. See Monty Python and the Holy Grail when the peasants ask the “King” who he is and tell him they didn’t vote for him.

The internet, with youtube, firedoglake, huffingtonpost, etc is dangerous to the status quo. It has been the leap from pony express to cables, from cables to telephone, from film to video, from radio to television, how quickly now the lies of the people in power can be exposed. It’s a new world and they will do anything to shut it down instead of becoming honest and working for the common good.

RevBev | Monday February 16, 2009 06:09 am 9

In response to RevBev @ 7

Please: “received.”