Why do some Americans have no faith in the common person's intelligence?

Question

Why is it that so many people think that they need the federal government to protect us from everything? We need a minimum wage (because we are too stupid to demand a fair wage for a fair day's work) we need the government to tell us where to send our kids to school. We need the government to tell us what to eat. Is there anything that we are to be held responsible for?

Also why is the Marxist class warfare crap so apealing to people. It is in a business' best interest to treat its employees well it is cheaper to keep employees happy than it is to replace them.

What I am really saying here is how much regulation is too much? America was built the idea of equality of opportunity not equality of outcome. We are speeding down the road to Socialism and that scares me more than any one person in the white house could.

Now before the Libs continue foaming at the mouth I will admit that yes there are some rolls that the Federal Government needs to play but I don't see a minimum wage as one of them. The wage they suggest is below poverty level any way.

Answer 1

Ironically, common sense is the least common of the senses. People regularly burn themselves on coffee cups that aren't marked "hot". They need a warning that they shouldn't eat the silica package that comes in their shoes. They need warnings on the popcorn bag not to open it next to their faces. They need a big yellow sign warning them that smooth floors are slippery when wet. These are the people who's children deserve a better education than they got- because they need it. These are the people who would easily be taken advantage of without a minimum wage, and more to the point, so would the rest of us because of them. You can demand whatever wage you want, someone dumber than you will do the same menial work for nearly free. Where ever there are poor and stupid people, rich people will exploit them. Without a government to keep business in check (which they theoretically do), corporations would have us back to a feudal system within a decade, simply because it makes historically good business sense for them.

Answer 2

A. Republicans are constantly slamming public schools... wanting this "maxist system" to die, because they say it only produces "fools"... which the majority of Americans go to public school... so that's no faith in the average person's intelligence...

B. look at the places with no public schools... is that what you want to be?

why do people who are rich come on here to put out this propaganda... how do you "demand" a fair wage? are you promoting unions?

"It is in a business' best interest to treat its employees well it is cheaper to keep employees happy than it is to replace them."??... hahaha everytime I think conservatives understand business, they stay something stupid like this... that's probably only true for jobs on the highest levels... I mean, do you think McDonalds really cares? And they employ a HUGE number of Americans... but I guess you don't care about them?

Answer 3

1. We need a minimum wage because many people are exploitative. It is easy to exploit people who are need to support their families. Examples: China, Jakarta, Indonesia

2. There are many people who do not value an education. Compulsory education is in the interest of a nation. A well educated workforce is a productive workforce.

3. We live in a wealthy nation. With that wealth comes the availability and variety of consumable goods (overly processed food). It is in the national interest to have a health nation. People with unhealthy lifestyles are a drain on the health care system. Health care is increasingly becoming overburdened, scarce, and expensive.

4. With all rights come responsibility. We need to focus on the big picture. The world isn't just about how the world effects us, but how we affect the world.

Answer 4

For the most part it's all done to protect us. And there are many people who don't know how to take care of themselves properly and unfortunately these people have children who need to be protected. Worse yet are the people who DO know how to take care of themselves and their children and don't. That, my friend, is why the government has to regulate certain things. Some of the things they regulate may not seem FAIR but we do have a lot of uninformed people in this country. On the other hand... you sound a little paranoid. Try not to listen to what all of the paranoid pot-smoking people are telling you. :-)

Oh... and to people who assume that welfare is only for stupid people... you really need to understand this country a lot more. GO READ SOMETHING!

Answer 5

What is the purpose of government if not to protect us from civil and/or financial anarchy? Unfortunately, we have one political party that cannot make up it's mind on what issues are of importance, and another that does nothing but cloud the issue (and it's real intent) with clever mis-use of words, denials, and outright lies. If all Americans were so intelligent, we wouldn't be the most divided that we have ever been since the civil war. No, instead we would all see THE truth for what is it, stop confusing our opinions with TRUTH, and dump both political parties for one that represents US. The Democrats try to represent ALL, but fail miserably. The Republicans care only for themselves, to hell with everyone else. Sadly, the average joe thinks he's included, but are just brainwashed with lies about morality and religion to get their vote. Regardless of which party you align yourself with, it's the lobbyists that have the larger voice. This is no longer a government of/for/by the 'people', but of large corporations bleeding us dry to increase profits. Politics has become nothing but various marketing routines training us to be good consumers of their products, to believe what we're told, and to simply not care or worry about it.

These days we don't need the government to protect us, we need to be protected from government! GOD BLESS THE FIRST AMENDMENT!!!!

Answer 6

Sir, seriously, those words of yours are some of the most mature words seen here on Yahoo Answers, and you sound like someone with enough savvy to be a valuable politician to run for office and help control our runaway spending that always happens when democrats or other "welfare-types" get in office. You sound mature beyond your years. Keep up the good work. Your thinking is just fine! God Bless you!

Answer 7

I think it has more to do with fear than a lack of faith in intellect. The politicians spend enormous amounts of time and money getting Democrats to fear Republicans and vice versa. Fearing our neighbors is absurd, if the government and politicians all disappeared tomorrow, we would pull together as a country and as communities and help each other.

In other words, it's all just a bunch of fearmongering by the politicians to buy votes, it has nothing to do with actually helping or protecting anybody.

Answer 8

When does the government tell you what to eat?? The federal government only interferes with the lives of the stupid (welfare, food stamps, etc.). People of intelligence do not need this help. So in summation, the government only interferes in the lives of those who ask for it or need it because of their lack of intelligence.

Answer 9

Ethan,

your logic is clumsy......meaning the your first point is easliy put down with the example government protecting the people from its enemies and terrorist.

Secondly, about minum wage.......Ask walmart employees how well unionizing is going.......

i think your exegerating the role of government in telling people where to go.

The FDA is great, if you got mad cow, you'd get pissed someone wasnt' lookin out.

Your claim of personality respoinisbility is conflated with governments role in protection........

pick one example with facts and i'll argue.....

Answer 10

Because Americans are lazy leaches. Its sad but true. Most people want to live off of welfare, child support, family, friends, and spouses. Or sell drugs and or sex. They think the easy way is threw other people instead of themselves. When in fact, by doing so they are doomed to poverty.