What is your definition of government.

[BrendenF11]

After being on this site for a while I have noticed that there are some very definate ideas as to what the word "government" means to people.

My question is what is government to you? What are the responsibilities of a nations government? What should and shouldn't a government provide it's citizens? How responsible is the government for it's people?

I would really like to ask ALL persons running for president this question, it would be interesting to see their responses.

Any who I respect almost everyones personal opinions on any issue on this sit, and that is why I am asking it.

[eaglethebeagle]

Good questions and good idea as it is probably infinite the possibilities of each persons definition of government. I dont believe in big government like socialism and anything in that direction but there has to be some moral responsibilities to provide for your citizens when there is the resources to do so( unemployment, social security, public school) Those are good services that have a place in government. The abuses of welfare are something that needs a case by case evaluation to see if it is someone abusing the service or legitimatly trying to find employment.

Of course there are many agencies but to sort through them all here would take more time than I have. I am against the Tea Party in some of their extreme ideas on reduction in government. So its a big mess as it always has been always will be.:USA::hb::thumbsup:

[BrendenF11]

Agreed, there are infinite possibilities for what a government should do and provide its citizens.

You brought up a very good issue, welfare, that faces the American government today in its current fiscal crisis. Welfare is a good thing, when used properly by those people that do need it. It is something that the government should provide its citizens, as well as citizens providing the funding for the program. It is a moral issue.

I do truely believe that the government should be responsible for three things, security, liberty, and the welfare of its people. Those three things seem to constantly contradict each other. They are all so finely interwinded that it is hard to define where there is a line between each. Ie how much security is worth the sacrifice of liberty, how much welfare is worth the sacrifice of liberty and security, how much liberty is worth the sacrifice of security and welfare.

I consider myself a constitutionalist, not a democrat or a republican or independant. The responsibilities that the government have seemed to take on over the past 20 years have far exceeded the requirements of a government in my mind, and have in fact infringed upon the three things I consider most important in a government.