Conservatives - Does government have any role besides defense?

Question

I'm wondering what your views are on limiting the size or role of government. Thanks!

Answer 1

Thats a great Q and one that Ive been thinking of recently!

It seems to me many of the govt agencies are either involved with defense or policing activities such as the SEC, FBI, CIA, ATF, HSD, EPA, IRS, etc. I think the challenge is to keep all these agencies and bureaus with limited power and budget. Enough to do their jobs, but not too much so that they waste $ we dont have to.

I think it was rather wasteful to create homeland security. I think they couldve just beefed up the section of the FBI already dedicated to that task. With the advent of the patriot act, the CIA and FBI and better work together now to prevent domestic attacks.

Answer 2

I think there is little resemblance in the government today as compared to the one the framers intended. True Conservatives know they aren't going to get the government back to its roots. Civil rights' legislation, as well as FDR's New Deal changed that forever.

But its the mentality of the people which needs work, in my opinion. Americans being educated on the proper role of government (little to no involvement in the lives of ordinary citizens, beyond policing crime) will lead to more prudent spending.

Americans have been educated, for the past 30 years, that the government is evil. But that same evil government is supposed to be feeding, clothing, and sheltering us. And that to me is absurd.

Answer 3

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United states of America .

No place latter on does it say anything about invading other sovereign nations .

We do however get the right to bare arms and finaly in 1964 the poll tax was abolished to keep Blacks and white trash from voting .


Hey we tried to outlaw booze till the outlaws fought back and won .

As long as we keep arresting and jailing mostly blacks for drug crimes those laws will remain on the books .
I consider them illegal laws but never the less .
Back to your question
Yes it does if you pay attention .

Answer 4

Defend liberty, i.e., against criminals and foreign threats

Create and maintain a currency

Decide disputes, e.g., contracts - though the cost of this should be paid for by the litigants (which it is in part)

Basic infrastructure - this could be done privately and I think the results would be that it would be better but more expensive - - a less-regulated transmission and delivery system, the power would be up in northern New England now, but the electric bill in NH might be 20% higher. I think that choice would be made by the market but I think that's what the market would choose.

In short, govt builds and maintains the course and sets the rules - it doesn't distribute the clubs.

Answer 5

Fact is though that under Bush and a Republican Congress the last six years government grew, spending was left unchecked, and, our budget went wacky on government pork, programs, and fruitless defense special interest spending. I'm for smaller government, but, not the kind Republicans executed! A liberal.

Answer 6

Defense should be 95% of what the federal government does.

Answer 7

A drastic reduction of wasteful government is vital for the sake of freedom, however an annual increase of military strength is just as vital, for the sole purpose of the most important role of our government, which is to protect US citizens from foreign and domestic aggressors. Your Welcome!

Answer 8

Yes.

Infrastructure, a stable currency, protection of private property, contract dispute resolutions, a stable and predictable legal system, and a small temporary safety net to help those on hard times bounce back.

Answer 9

It's main role is common defense and making law (as few as possible).

Other then that you will get arguments from Republicans. I believe they should not be able to make a law against abortion, we should be free to make that choice as conservatives. I believe in providing for the elderly, true libertarians don't.

Answer 10

Conservatives as a whole are in favor of less government and a strong defense. They are not mutually exclusive. Defense spending is dwarfed by spending on "entitlements", 3 to 1.