What do you expect from government?

Question

As a moderate, I expect the government to provide a few competently delivered services like, a school system, water and waste treatment, roads and airports, and a strong national defense. I look to elect officials who will run the affairs of state, balance the budget, and streamline the government.
I look for more power ceded to the community level. I think matters like abortion and gay rights should be settled at state level and not federal level. Welfare should be funded at the federal level but managed at the county level by an elected board, similar to the school system. I expect the governement to stay out of my personal business, and keep its hand out of my pocket.
As a liberal or conservative, what do you expect from government? Please don't answer for any viewpoint other than your own.

Answer 1

Government should provide safety, security, and border control... end of story at the federal level.

Answer 2

As a conservative I agree we some of what you say I want to see the federal government stick to basics national defense, roads, foreign affairs, minimal taxes. The main thing I disagree with you is the school system if you have a system where African Americans have a 40% dropout rate to me that system is a failure and need to be changed. the solution is not complicated just put more competition in the school system have the funding follow the student rather than go directly to the schools that way the schools have to compete for the money and only the schools that consistently perform will survive.

Answer 3

For my tax dollars, I expect a few things, too.

From a Federal standpoint, I expect to live in a country where our borders are protected against hostile forces and a court system which will protect my rights as defined by the Constitution and Bill of Rights...but in today's world, I suppose I'm asking too much since we've been attacked a number of times and civil rights are slowly disappearing.

I'm still wrangling over the issue of health care and education in the hands of Federal gov't.
On one hand, they do a piss-poor job of running these things.
On the other, a healthy and educated population can only make our nation stronger on so many levels.

From a State and local government standpoint, I expect police and fire protection. I expect the courts to make reasonable judgments in regards to property. I expect reasonable utility services. And I expect good quality public education accessible to all.

As for your suggestion in matters of abortion or homosexual rights, I advocate NO government intrusion.
These are personal choices.
Government should not be in the business of legislating morality or lifestyle choices.
Anytime you get government intrusion into these areas, you are asking for trouble.
A good example is the Prohibition Act of 1919.
Not only did it fail to curb alcohol sales and consumption but it fostered a booming crime spree.

A parting shot: it is especially odious to me when the government intrudes in our private life like both the state of Florida and the U.S. Congress did in the Terri Schiavo case.
This is privacy invasion in its most sickening example.

Answer 4

Incompetence

UPDATE: I see many people don't like my answer. I say that because that is all you can ever realistically expect from government, and I'd rather not be disappointed by posting some pe-in-the-sky expectations. Government is not efficient. Government gets its money through legalized theft. Government has no incentive to spend wisely. Government, because everything it does depends on its claim on a monopoly of the use of force, can never operate for the selfless benefit of others. There is far too much incentive for special interests to capture the levers of power to use them to their advantage. Why do you think so much money is spent in political campaigns. I tell you what, if you want efficient, good government, take its power away. But that will never happen, because everyone is divided into their own little special interest group: homeowners get the tax deduction, poor get welfare, corporations get competition-killing legislation, etc. To end it all, everyone needs to agree to give up their little bit of the gravy train.

Answer 5

A little more leadership. A little less spoonfed- philosophical-ideology.

Competence.
I expect people who have taken government seats to approach problems for real, not like they have all the answers already :: and need to stuff their solutions onto problems like square pegs onto round holes.

Doesn't fit. Force it!

Answer 6

still a republican,but consider myself a Reagan Conservative.i expect very little from government.foreign affairs mainly.i would like to see them follow the constitution to the letter with my rights starting from the moment of conception

Answer 7

I could not possibly express my viewpoint as eloquently as you have.

I sure like your thinking. My kind of American!
Thanks

Answer 8

THE GOVERNMENT OUT OF MY WALLET! WELFARE REFORM! LOWER TAXES! TERM LIMITS. BETTER CARE FOR OUR VETERANS AND THE ELDERLY! THAT'S ABOUT IT!

Answer 9

i look for the government to serve the will of its constituents.