What is the purpose of having a government if it isn't to take care of the needs of the American People?

Question

Why is it that some americans feel that to make sure all americans have health insurance, a job, fair wages and fair taxes, a roof over their heads is asking for a hand out what ever happen to a hand up?even the homeless for the most part don't choose to be homeless.Isn't what americans are looking for in government and the officals that we elect sometimes it is confusing.

Answer 1

The people have the primary responsibility to take care of themselves. Government is there for common social services that can be provided better through a structured system. The U.S. form of government doesn't exist merely to provide all the needs for a bunch of lazy people. If that were the case, the federal government would own and control everything and provide the needs as it saw fit to the people. Basically, that's what communism is about. However, in this scenario the people would not be allowed to sit around and be lazy. Their work would be dictated and controlled. Those who would not participate would be punished or eliminated. Is that what you want? I don't think so.

There is a cost in personal freedom and money for increased services such as health services, wages, and basic needs. You can have government control more of these but at a cost of reduced individual freedoms. And therein lies the ongoing debate between the parties--at what cost do you want government to control your life/

Answer 2

Government cannot give you anything that it has not first taken from someone else. It can give you health insurance, but it must pay for that expense through taxation. It can give you a job, but only by forcing someone to hire you. It can dictate a minimum wage, but at the cost of increased unemployment and inflation.

All of these needs can be met through other institutions than government, and better, including charities, churches, and the invisible hand. Expecting a solution from government is like driving nails with a crescent wrench. It can be done, but it's not the best tool for the job. Voluntary solutions are the best.

As for what is the purpose of having a government, I haven't figured that one out, yet. Referring to the tool analogy again, government is a tool ideally designed for doing evil, so I suppose some people find it handy.

Answer 3

Americas new mentality is to dump and ignore the have nots though in a democracy they are always there. To be selfish in our quests to only address the persons who are financially gifted seems to be the thing to do. To waste money on little dogs and gas guzzling cars so as we can somehow justify our actions to ignore the struggling people who are homeless and hungry is our new mentality. The government does not reflect the people and this has been an issue for many years. The government is corrupt and looking only for personal gain with no respect for the laws and change them when they get in their way of personal gain. We need to be more involved in the elections and pay more attention the government and what it is doing since it believes it represents the people.

Answer 4

It's not the responsibility or function of our government to provide any of the things you listed. If government provides all of those things for someone, they are essentially dependent upon the government for their well being and become wards of the state. Owned by the government....not very conducive to freedom and personal liberties.

Answer 5

government shouldn't be taking care of the needs of the american people. it's job should be to protect the rights of the american people. it's your job to take care of your needs, and if you summon the government to incarcerate me or to thieve my hard earned and much needed money for the purpose of serving your needs, well that's just down right disgusting.