If big government is bad, why do you libs incessantly grow it?

Question

I think we all can agree that too much government is a bad thing, so why do liberals( and even some neo-cons) push so hard for "social programs" that do nothing but increase the peoples dependance on- and grow- government?

A government big enough to provide everything you need, is big enough to take everything you have.
- Thomas Jefferson.

Answer 1

Good one!

Actually, they only want government to be big when it's engaged in activities that make them FEEL better about themselves. Otherwise, they want it to evaporate (e.g., the military).

Answer 2

Because they want power. By increasing government power and lying about it they can pacify the public. For example by ordering the media to make the public hate Bush they are taking the spotlight off themselves. This would allow them to create more social programs without public notice. In other words the reason why libs create large governments is complex. It can be explained by 2 groups of libs. The libs on the top do it to gain power at the cost of the people they are supposed to serve. The libs under them are pawns which think they are getting fair treatment but actually aren't.

Answer 3

Most liberals have nothing against big corporations, but their main issue is transparency. The fact is that government is extremely transparent. Most of what government does is public knowledge. As a result, given the size of government, it's quite honest. Rarely does one find the kind of fraud in government that compares to Enron's, WorldComs, Bank of America's, Bernie Madoff, etc. Government fraud is often small scale and committed by small time crooks. But, not only is government largely transparent by law, it is scrutinized by: (1) The opposing parties (2) The major media (3) Good government groups on the right and left. With regulation, corporations can be kept more honest. Without it, corporations do what they're supposed to do and serve their shareholders. That often leads corporations to make bad decisions that hurt the American economy.

Answer 4

good point

Many liberals dont know what they are talking about; the same can be said about conservatives. However the moderates understand that some government is needed and social programs are needed to balance out the injustice. I agree that too big government is more harmful to a country then beneficial.

Answer 5

The concept of big government is yet another popular two or three word saying that dumb impressionable Americans latched on to. Not unlike, 'stay the course' or 'cut & run' or ' don't tread on me' or Army of one' etc etc etc. It's faddish and because it's short simple minded people cling to it.

The fact of the matter is Govt. is and always has been big. As a matter of fact George Bush current resides over the largest increase in govt. in our nation's history. With out big government this country would fall into another civil war.

The American education system really is failing isn't it?

Answer 6

The size of the Federal Government dropped 20% during the Clinton administration.

The size of the Federal Government has grown 7% during the Bush administration.

So, who's the party of Big Government now?

Answer 7

Excuse me, the Federal Government has been under the total control of "Conservatives" for nearly seven years now. The congress and Senate have been in their hands for ten. Government has grown large under the very people who supposedly disparage it.

Answer 8

"We don't want anymore government than we need. However, we continue to insist on ALL the government that we need."

-Mario Cuomo

I don't want government in my bedroom, in my church or tapping my phone. I do want it protecting the people from giant corporations who will hurt anyone to make money and increase their bottom line.

Answer 9

What neo-cons? Not this one.
But I love the Jefferson quote. Too bad his #1 fan, clinton, didn't abide by it.

Answer 10

why is the largest government building in Washington named after a Republican president?