adam smith, as he was creating the idea of an economy also promoted the concept of laissez faire, in which there would be less of a governmental role in the economy. most conservatives in the republican party also believe in the idea of less government involvement. since Bush is a republican and has stated that he is a conservative, i am curious as to why he is running our country with such a strong government hand. clearly laissez faire is not being put to work at all in our current situation and so my question is how would you categorize our current governement and how might we be able to slowly move more into the direction of laissez faire? however, in asking this question, i am by no means suggesting that we should promote laissez faire to the point of anarchy.
2007-02-21 19:04:26 · 9 answers · asked by dragonrayne2000 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Government
The United States Government today is a Federalist Republic. We have a mixed economical system which has traits of both Capitalist and Socialist systems.
The power of the United States is in the hands of the elected officials in Washington who are there to represent us. However a complacent and frankly careless populous has allowed the Federal Government to usurp individual rights and state powers and concentrate it. This has been occuring for over 125 years, since Abraham Lincoln expanded the powers of the presidency during the War of Rebellion.
The state of our federal government is not even close to what is dictated in the Constitution. The powers of the fed have been expanded well beyond the limits imposed by the founding fathers, both Democrats and Republicans are at fault.
If you compare the Economic Policies of Bush and those of the Democrats you find that Bush is more along the line of John F. Kennedy and today's Democrats are essentially Socialist.
Personally I favor a much more Conservative approach, letting markets dictate the economy, because I believe that the Government only screws up whatever it gets its hands on. They prove it over, and over again.
2007-02-21 19:18:57 · answer #1 · answered by Jon M 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Also a core republican belief is that of a strong federal government at the expense of states rights...and to a lesser degree individual rights. And if you embrace the concept that the United States is at war..(I guess the federal government could have just told New York that the terrorist attack was just a state or local problem, and not get involved), that concept of a strong federal system becomes more evident. The perceived need to strengthen the Federal machine has resulted in the spin off of the extended conflict in Iraq, as well as the suspension of some individual rights. Laissez faire mostly is a reflection of minimization of social programs and the minimization of the distribution wealth toward those less fortunate..minimization in getting involved in state and local affairs....but when taxation goes to provide for national defense..its not going to the individual or to the states. Republican equals Federalist
2007-02-21 19:29:27 · answer #2 · answered by chris f 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Were at a weird point right now, somewhere between the country moving toward socialist, and communist at the same time. Most of all we are in a government that is constantly scrutinized no matter what results or lack of they produce. Hows that go, can make some of the people happy all the time, but you can never make all the people happy all the time. Just stop thinking about out system as a government and more of and evolving system according to public opinions. Where new freedoms are added just as fast as old freedoms are taken away. A balance wrote on paper not stone.
2007-02-21 19:12:48 · answer #3 · answered by shadycaliber 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We are a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. If the hand of government is strong, it is because we the people either support it or fail to change it.
Clearly I believe you misunderstand laissez faire and our current situation. We have a voice - it's called voting - and we should support decisions of the vote and the decisions of the government after the voting is done.
Laissez-faire...
a French phrase meaning "let do, let go, let pass"...
Free-market anarchists take the idea to an extreme by opposing all taxation.
The term laissez-faire is often used interchangeably with the term "free market." Some may use the term laissez-faire to refer to "let do, let pass" attitude for concepts in areas outside of economics.
[IT'S NOT A CONSERVATIVE IDEA]
Laissez-faire is associated with classical liberalism, libertarianism, and objectivism.[ ] It was originally introduced in the English-language world in 1774, by George Whatley, in the book 'Principles of Trade', which was co-authored with Benjamin Franklin. Classical economists, such as Thomas Malthus, Adam Smith and David Ricardo did not use the term—Bentham did, but only with the advent of the Anti-Corn Law League did the term receive much of its (English) meaning.
Economist Adam Smith in his book 'Wealth of Nations' argued that the invisible hand of the market would guide people to act in the public interest by following their own self-interest,...
(excellent material please go on reading...see link below.)
************************************************************
I selected material presented here from wikipedia. It is a fair representation of my opinions.
Why exactly would we wish to slowly move more into the direction of laissez faire [free market (anarchy or no)] at all? if you're not suggesting it - why did you ask it?
Homework assignment?
2007-02-21 19:53:41 · answer #4 · answered by birdwatcher 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The kind of government we have today is a corrupt government .
People aren't smart enough to see if you put democrats and republicans both in a sack shook them up and dumped them out You couldn't tell them apart .Because they are both greedy corrupt thieves .With no reguard for our constitution or the oath they swear, to defend and support .They have sold our job market ,port system ,robbed social security from our elderly .Cater to special interest groups and corporate interests .Basically sold America to the highest bidder because of their greed for money and power .Industrialized imprisoning robbing and victimizing our citizens .Over taxed us on every part of every thing in life we do, buy ,sell .Stole our rights ,freedom and liberty under the guise of security Government was meant to serve the people .Not enslave the people to government like it is now .This is the same tyranny and oppression on the people our founding fathers fought to free us from .It makes no difference what politician you vote for if they aren't honest and you can hold them accountable for their actions after they are elected
2007-02-21 19:56:55 · answer #5 · answered by dollars2burn4u 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Our government is a REPRESENTATIVE government, a form of democracy. We elect officials to represent us, and they help us have a voice.
It is up to us to elect good people, but only rich people ever get elected to higher offices, so the really good candidates get no chance whatsoever. We always end up choosing between the guys that still have money left over after the Iowa caucus.
Sad, huh?
2007-02-21 19:14:57 · answer #6 · answered by drbuns 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We exist under an economic policy of controlled capitalism. It is controlled in numerous ways, but mostly through environmental regulations and anti-trust, pro-competition legislation.
You will probably get a lot of typically angry liberals responding breathlessly to this question. Like the first guy.
2007-02-21 19:15:00 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the type of government we are living under is a partison corrupt shadow of lies and deciet, we as americans have a bad habit of following party politics and not choosing candidates on merit instead of party affiliation, that is why our government is full of criminals, we all need to band together and research the candidates and quit listening to them tell us lies they think they want us to hear, lets tip the balance and get some quality people in office, and get rid of the trash that cant stop bikering like 5year old children fighting over a toy.
2007-02-21 19:17:02 · answer #8 · answered by Russ S 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Klusterfucked Neo-conservativefascism with a Radical religious right objective.
Worse Case Scenario for any country.
2007-02-21 19:09:40 · answer #9 · answered by scottyurb 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋