The Government should fear the people, the people shouldn't fear their government?

Question

Do you agree or disagree? And, do you think the American Government fears it's people? Or, do you think the American people fear their governement?

I'm just asking this because I want to know the thought process of Yahoo Answer people on this board.

Moneta: you said "Though I fear where this nation's government is tending to go." Where do you think this nation's government is going?

Answer 1

Thinking that the government will never come for you simply because you have nothing to hide, and that they can do what they want to those who do is an age-old way to bury your head in the sand.

When they take the Muslims, I'll say nothing, since it isn't me. When they take the gays, I'll say nothing, since it isn't me. When they take the liberals, I'll say nothing, since it isn't me. When they take the radicals, the journalists, the trouble makers, the weirdos I'll say nothing, because it isn't me.

When they take me, there won't be anyone left to say anything.

We all need to make sure those in charge know who they work for, unless we want to be working for them.

Answer 2

I do not agree with "V"

We the people are the government. The people are the government, and therefore the people should not fear themselves. Individuals will always fear the majority, and the majority will fear the actions of the minority. Rememer, only 1/3 of Americans supported the Revolution.

Likewise, I think JFK's famouns "ask not...." speech is wrong as well. You should never ask the question of what your country can do for you, because your job is to provide for yourself. You should never ask what you can do for your country, other than it get out of your way, because you do not exist as a slave to your nation-state.

Answer 3

Its a two way street.

The Government should and shouldn't fear the people and vice versa...I know this is hard to understand. But it is possible that people can become the evil doers. If that is the case, government should step and squash that $h!t.

For example....Look at Hezbollah. They try to take over the Lebanese government. The hell with Hezbollah!!

If we have any rogue states or cities....the government needs to step in an beat people down. Remember, when in Little Rock...when Eisenhower had to step in and turn over the Governor's decision to use the national guard to prevent segregation.

'Government should fear the people' is a flawed belief...as I have proven above. People buy into it because it sounds eloquent. They should only fear the people when the government drastically steps over the line.

And people should fear their government 'when the people have acted illegally'

Answer 4

Without further qualification on 'fear,' I would go with Yes, I agree.

I don't think that the majority of our officials fear the people, as they believe we are too involved in our immediate lives to watch what they are doing.

I think that in some ways people fear government, while in others they do not. I do not fear the government of this nation. Though I fear where this nation's government is tending to go.

I further feel that our officials should feel privileged to serve, rather than entitled.

Answer 5

In the USA, we are a "government of the people, by the people, for the people..." I don't think there is fear, either way. While there may seem to be conflicts at times, things do get done. As an example, the people voiced strong disapproval of the immigration reform bill. Some Senators pouted and complained. But the voices were heard, and the matter was dropped.

Answer 6

It depends on what u mean by fear. I beleive that the government should fear the people in that a party should do what it was elected to do in congress or senate or the people will speak and elect someone else. The people should however fear the government in that they should be scared to go to jail and face punishments for illegal actions. People should have power to chose branches of government but cannot have a government where there is complete anarchy due to lack of respect for power.

Answer 7

You speak of "The Government" as if it were a living, breathing entity. It is not, we are the government; at least, those of us who take the time to vote and be engaged are. The other 47% of eligible voters want to whine and complain but fail to be involved. I am the government - I control it with my vote. I don't want to hear any of the garbage about wealthy lobbyists and contributors running the government. Nearly HALF of the eligible persons fail to get off of their butt and make a difference. 47% would make an impact of epic proportions.

Answer 8

Yes I agree with that. Unfortunately now it seems like people fear the government and not the other way around. Our political leaders placate us with pretty promises and well packaged lies come election time then completely forget what they said once in office. We keep electing the same fools into office though so it is not like we don't deserve it at this point.

Answer 9

The American people are afraid of the government. This government is a dangerous corporate whore pig that gets more and more fascist by the day

and

The American government is afraid the American people might find out the truth......and put a stop to it

Answer 10

I agree, but it is the other way around. Think about this, is a person innocent until proven guilty by a jury of his peers, or is he guilty until proven innocent by a jury of his peers? When was the last time you saw a convict on the courthouse steps that was already convicted by the media before a jury was even picked? Our criminal justice system is "fractured" and badly so. It needs a major reform in order to make it work the way it was intended to work!

Answer 11

Absolutely. You have quoted one of the founding fathers although it slips my mind which one at the moment. When the people fear the government we have totalitarianism. When the government fears the people we have a democracy. Participation in government leads to strenghened democracy, complacency leads to totalitarianism.