Bevin using anti-government playbook

Thirty years ago, I was told that destroying public schools was a goal of Republicans. Having now read “Democracy in Chains,” which is carefully documented from original sources, I understand that what I dismissed then as extremist conspiracy theory-not-to-be-taken seriously was fact.

Change the structure of the system, advised Libertarian James M. Buchanan of George Mason University, the school that became known for “free” market indoctrination of Washington’s soon-to-be aides and bureaucrats.

Over the years, we’ve heard a steady drumbeat telling us that government is “bad.” A drumbeat made loud by the secret establishment of Koch networks — think tanks, ALEC and advertising firms. When libertarians merged with the Kochs, then the Republican Party, it spelled the end of life as we knew it.

Gov. Matt Bevin didn’t invent those so-called cost cutting measures. He is using a playbook.

This story was originally published January 31, 2018 at 7:25 PM with the headline "Bevin using anti-government playbook."