Belgium Waffles on the Need of Government

Do we really need government? That's not an idle Tea Party-esque question in Belgium, where they've gone nearly a year without one:

Belgium tied Iraq on Tuesday for a very special world record: Number of days without a new government. (It's been 289 days since the inconclusive June 13, 2010, election.) Has living without a government made any difference to the Belgian people?

Not really. It's not quite accurate to say the country is without a government. In parliamentary systems like that of Belgium or the United Kingdom, the existing ministers remain in office when Parliament is dissolved in anticipation of an election. In the event that the elections are inconclusive, the ministers continue to perform their functions. They can't undertake controversial new initiatives, because they don't have a parliamentary majority to approve it, but they can accomplish administrative tasks.

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As 032125 said, there's an opportunity here. I posit the implementation of qualified administrators and other professionals of proven trajectory instead of popularity contests (elections).
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I left out that in one state, the BD's were courting multiple towns. Once you have a proven track record, the towns begin to bid against one another: Tax incentives, free roads, special laws that will inhibit other BD's from moving in, etc. Now the growth is mandatory or else the house of cards will collapse. But do not worry, the BD's have the answer (and the farmers won't like it but they can either move or get a 'real job' like everyone else)
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There is a great political cartoon somewhere... Two farmers are visited by two politicians and the politicians are hungry and looking to barter. The punchline is something like, "they want our food and in exchange will give us representation".
This is brilliant. It captures the inception of the modern political process in the USA: Q. - Why do I need representation? A. Because if others have it and I don't, I will fall victim to 'progress'.
I've seen this in two states:
A. Big developer schmoozes a small town gov't and woos them with huge tax/growth opportunities.
B. One or two farms are purchased and converted into a hundred or so homes.
C. New residents love the farm country but need shopping and begin to hate the smell of fertilizer.
D. New residents outvote the 20 or 30 farmers, replace local gov't and begin the complete destruction of rural landscape (constant road construction, *almart, etc.).
E. Big Developer already wooing the next farthest town from the city with revenue numbers of previous conquest and the process recycles.
It is a pyramid scam. It can't go on forever. Nothing is too big to fail.
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And protesters have organized a "French fries" revolution. ;) Which is considered the national dish. (No joke.)

The Fries Revolution in Belgium

"249 days after the last election, Belgium still has no government (or no new government to be exact, the old one is still in place as an interim-government). Thus, on Feb. 17th 2011, Belgium broke the world record (previously in the hands of Iraq). To celebrate this “honor”, thousands of people were treated free Belgian Fries in different cities throughout the country.

The Fries Revolution (Frietrevolutie) movement chose Fries as the symbol of their protest. It is Belgian Fries that keep this country together afterall!"


Must see video to understand Belgium:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ceg6NQKHd70
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