What is the function of the government?

[thebluefood]

This question has been on my mind a lot lately.

I believe a lot of the tension between liberals and conservatives stems from differing opinions on what the role of the government actually is. I'm also finding myself at a crossroads regarding this subject and I want to see what you guys have to say on the matter.

Also, what are the differing responsibilities of state and federal governments, if any?

[skinsfan_1215]

1. To promote equality of opportunity, among both citizens and businesses. But especially citizens.
2. To provide an effective infrastructure for the country (including national defense). Essentially creating an environment where people and business can thrive.
3. To provide a humanitarian safety net for citizens that cannot currently care for themselves.

I think most everything can fit into one of those categories.

Edit- I don't see any difference between state and federal responsibilities in the nature of govt, but I do in implementation. I find that the state level government is antiquated at this point in history. I feel that state responsibilities have been gradually eroded over the past century+, and I think it will continue to happen (justifiably).

[Pride]

Well many believe the constitution was to be the definition of what "our" government was. Again many will contest that it's supposed to be a living breathing document. However it's authors feared big government and making it "living and breathing" would allow the government the power to live and breath the constitution right into oblivion which in my opinion, it has. I know what my constitution says my government should be. But I don't know what the hell we have now is. Not trying to hate on Obama or liberals or republicans. I fear our government stepped on a slippery slope a decade ago and has been out of control ever since.

[Burgold]

Fundamentally, to protect the little guy from the bully.

Whether that bully be a foreign nation, a criminal, or an entity with greater power (like a polluting corporation or a company hiring children and putting them in unsafe conditions)

The reason we have a government is to keep the pack healthy and strong.

[big#44]

Well the original purpose of government going waayyy back was probably simply to create and enforce laws and act as a 3rd party in disputes to cut down on vigilante justice in society. But obviously we've come a long way from there.......

[Pride]

1. To promote equality of opportunity, among both citizens and businesses. But especially citizens.
2. To provide an effective infrastructure for the country (including national defense). Essentially creating an environment where people and business can thrive.
3. To provide a humanitarian safety net for citizens that cannot currently care for themselves.

I think most everything can fit into one of those categories.

#3 was not in the constitution or bill of rights. Our government was never meant to be as big as it is. Government was to be impersonal, not to be involved with the day to day of its citizenry. It protected it's borders, created and enforced laws.. We didn't even have an income tax until 1913(16th Amendment I believe). Up until then the country was run on tariffs. At one point it was ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. If our government was meant to be big enough to support its (and other country's) citizenry we'd of had to of had an income tax at the very beginning.

Point being, the government was never meant to take financial care of it's citizens

[morris84]

In a nutshell, the intent with the signing of the Constitution was to protect private property rights. Of course, the Constitution isn't even a legally binding contract (See Lysander Spooner on this), so it failed to do so almost immediately.

[skinsfan_1215]

#3 was not in the constitution or bill of rights. Our government was never meant to be as big as it is. Government was to be impersonal, not to be involved with the day to day of its citizenry. It protected it's borders, created and enforced laws.. We didn't even have an income tax until 1913(16th Amendment I believe). Up until then the country was run on tariffs. At one point it was ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. If our government was meant to be big enough to support its (

Point being, the government was never meant to take financial care of it's citizens

What worked for 1776 does not necessarily work for 2012. We now have the means, and we absolutely have the justification.

[twa]

Edit- I don't see any difference between state and federal responsibilities in the nature of govt, but I do in implementation. I find that the state level government is antiquated at this point in history. I feel that state responsibilities have been gradually eroded over the past century+, and I think it will continue to happen (justifiably).

The Republic allows for differences that a single govt does not, there is value in individuality and local control

[skinsfan_1215]

The Republic allows for differences that a single govt does not, there is value in individuality and local control

If our federal govt worked properly, and effectively, the differences would be represented at the federal level.

[hockeysc23]

1. To promote equality of opportunity, among both citizens and businesses. But especially citizens.
2. To provide an effective infrastructure for the country (including national defense). Essentially creating an environment where people and business can thrive.
3. To provide a humanitarian safety net for citizens that cannot currently care for themselves.

I think most everything can fit into one of those categories.

Edit- I don't see any difference between state and federal responsibilities in the nature of govt, but I do in implementation. I find that the state level government is antiquated at this point in history. I feel that state responsibilities have been gradually eroded over the past century+, and I think it will continue to happen (justifiably).

Everything but the last one in my opinion.

Federal should focus on defense and overall continental infrastructure. States should focus on the smaller individual type rules that govern their specific people: gambling, marriage, etc.

Gov't should not be the people's safety net.

[hockeysc23]

Then what should? There are a lot of people that legitimately need some sort of help.

Families, charities, private companies, and personal accountability.

[skinsfan_1215]

Everything but the last one in my opinion.

Gov't should not be the people's safety net.

Then what should? There are a lot of people that legitimately need some sort of help.

[hockeysc23]

Then what should? There are a lot of people that legitimately need some sort of help.

Families, charities, private companies, and personal accountability.

[skinsfan_1215]

Families, charities, private companies, and personal accountability.

Got it. So people who can't help themselves should either:

Grow a pair and make it work somehow
Ask their families for help (since they obviously have families that CAN help)
Ask private companies to give them food, medicine, etc (since said companies have a huge incentive to do so)
Hope there are enough charitable donations that year to let them eat (works great in a recession)