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Topic: What Is Government For?
Bravalady Joined Sun 01/01/12 Posts: 1034	Fri 11/30/12 08:29 PM
. . . in 25 words or less? Just curious what people think. Please just say what you believe and don't trash other people's opinions. (I'm going to make a bet with myself on how long that one will last, but what the hey.)

ScrambledIggz Joined Wed 12/17/08 Posts: 44	Fri 11/30/12 09:39 PM Edited by ScrambledIggz on Fri 11/30/12 09:42 PM
government naturally appears. it is not "for" anything, despite governments' claims to be "for justice" or "for order", "security", etc... it is same as coldness is not "for" ice in any way. coldness does not serve ice, nor does it dominate it. coldness is a property of ice (or else ice would melt). likewise, government of one kind or another is an emergent property of social creatures like humans. it is inevitable.

lilott Joined Thu 10/12/06 Posts: 2295	Fri 11/30/12 09:54 PM
There is no difference between Obama and Morsi.

Conrad_73 Joined Sat 09/29/07 Posts: 22488	Sat 12/01/12 12:32 AM
http://aynrandlexicon.com/lexicon/government.html "The source of the government’s authority is “the consent of the governed.” This means that the government is not the ruler, but the servant or agent of the citizens; it means that the government as such has no rights except the rights delegated to it by the citizens for a specific purpose."

TexasScoundrel Joined Wed 10/29/08 Posts: 3693	Sat 12/01/12 02:24 PM
I think government's job is laid out clearly in the preamble of the constitution. ...provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty...

Bravalady Joined Sun 01/01/12 Posts: 1034	Sat 12/01/12 03:10 PM
You win the first round, you actually answered the question in a way I could understand. I guess the problems come when we start trying to define what those three items mean.

oldhippie1952 Joined Mon 03/14/11 Posts: 22693	Sat 12/01/12 03:12 PM
I think government's job is laid out clearly in the preamble of the constitution. ...provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty... And that is all they are supposed to do.

Bravalady Joined Sun 01/01/12 Posts: 1034	Sat 12/01/12 03:20 PM
Well, what does "promote the general welfare" mean? and securing the blessings of liberty? That's really broad.

oldhippie1952 Joined Mon 03/14/11 Posts: 22693	Sat 12/01/12 03:21 PM
No taxes??

msharmony Joined Mon 08/31/09 Posts: 61041	Sat 12/01/12 04:52 PM
Well, what does "promote the general welfare" mean? and securing the blessings of liberty? That's really broad. I think the terms are intentionally broad to allow for adaptation to changing times and environments,,,

s1owhand Joined Fri 05/18/07 Posts: 29437	Sat 12/01/12 04:55 PM
I think government's job is laid out clearly in the preamble of the constitution. ...provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty...

Bravalady Joined Sun 01/01/12 Posts: 1034	Sun 12/02/12 03:02 AM
Well, what does "promote the general welfare" mean? and securing the blessings of liberty? That's really broad. I think the terms are intentionally broad to allow for adaptation to changing times and environments,,, Yes, I agree and I think it was very wise. I'm just curious what people on both sides of the spectrum think today. One person has suggested "no taxes" as the meaning of . . . something, he doesn't say what. I have a feeling he's not serious, but who can tell?

msharmony Joined Mon 08/31/09 Posts: 61041	Sun 12/02/12 12:04 PM
general: : involving, applicable to, or affecting the whole welfare: the state of doing well especially in respect to good fortune, happiness, well-being, or prosperity liberty: the positive enjoyment of various social, political, or economic rights and privileges to me, there is a long list of things that fall under 'general welfare' and 'liberty' things like safety, health, education, opportunity, shelter, are but a few,,,

Jeanniebean Joined Wed 01/30/08 Posts: 40028	Sun 12/02/12 04:18 PM
Well, what does "promote the general welfare" mean? and securing the blessings of liberty? That's really broad. Promote general welfare: Food stamps? (Just kidding.) Arrest the killers and the thieves and put them in jail. Build the roads. Fight off invaders. (Not send the army to other countries)

TexasScoundrel Joined Wed 10/29/08 Posts: 3693	Mon 12/03/12 10:18 AM
Well, what does "promote the general welfare" mean? and securing the blessings of liberty? That's really broad. IMHO, promoting the general welfare means it's the federal government's job to create a level field that allows everyone equal access to the tools needed to prosper. They used to say "a nation where any young man selling newspapers on a corner can grow up to be president."

metalwing Joined Fri 11/14/08 Posts: 26218	Mon 12/03/12 10:23 AM
From my experience, the government is mostly for themselves and for gaining power.

Jeanniebean Joined Wed 01/30/08 Posts: 40028	Mon 12/03/12 10:33 AM
From my experience, the government is mostly for themselves and for gaining power. That is not what government is for. That is what it eventually devolves into as ultimate power corrupts ultimately.

Bravalady Joined Sun 01/01/12 Posts: 1034	Mon 12/03/12 10:44 AM
From my experience, the government is mostly for themselves and for gaining power. That is not what government is for. That is what it eventually devolves into as ultimate power corrupts ultimately. Agreed.

TexasScoundrel Joined Wed 10/29/08 Posts: 3693	Mon 12/03/12 11:31 AM
I find it interesting that so few have addressed the actual question. It's as if most people don't have a firm idea of what the job of government is or who it's supposed serve.

msharmony Joined Mon 08/31/09 Posts: 61041	Mon 12/03/12 11:35 AM
could be people are more interested in other topics its not the first time,,,,