[PWarren]

This is probably a little out of place, but I noticed that it seems to come up and tickle me every time I read some political article about the place of governance so I thought I could discuss it. Before I go on, I'd like to note that I am trying to be as politically neutral as possible, and I am speaking from the perspective of the U.S. government but am of course open to input about any state.

So then, within these articles the government is always depicted as some artificial third party, an entity that becomes increasingly independent of the community as it expands and makes decisions for its own benefit. My own definition however appears to be completely different and irreconcilable with this. For I believe that at least in an ideal U.S., the government is elected by the people to serve as an extension of their will and tend to the tasks that keeps society running. So when I think of our government, I picture a collective force of the public for the public that inherently seeks to improve things rather than a solitary institution that pursues goals for its own benefit. State secrets, corruption and private agendas all significantly hamper this idealistic view, but seem to be the exceptions rather than the rule that it was founded on (a voice for everyone, equality, etc.).



So, how do you think of a government?

(Crap, I hope this doesn't turn into another one of those threads, I felt really bad about the last one that was too serious)

[Cynically Smiling]

Your definition of "ideal" government sounds like the type of thing that would have inspired the declaration of independence, and I think that a governing body to carry-out the will of the people really is ideal. However, the will of the people was more clearly defined when democracy was adopted. Freedom, independence, taxation without representation, and all that fun stuff. Nowadays the will of the people has become fragmented and extreme. It must be a challenge to represent such a large collective of varying opinions and voices and degrees of pure craziness at times. It's tough to carry-out the will of the people when you're president of a country that houses the Westboro Baptist church.

The greatest thing about all this, for me, is that I'm Canadian and a HUGE Jon Stewart fan. Between the American political system and Fox News, The Daily Show has never been better :)

[One4YesTwo4No]

Just a group of people that make decisions for another group of people.

[rbgj]

Government is..something, something, something, DARK SIDE. something, something, something, COMPLETE.

[FreeBeer]

o.o seriously I'd like to see some compelling arguments for government, from someone who supports it, breaking down how it functions and how it benefits us. ^^ plz.?

[android654]

A government is an organization with the sole intent of protecting and perfecting its organization. Everything else a government does is merely details.

[Funkdragon75]

Government is a 1 hour long drive, followed by a 2 hour long wait at the building permit office just to hand some government worker a $65 check and a filled out application, which they refuse to take via fax, or email, or snail mail, only in person...only to then finally get to the clerk's desk and learn that you were told the wrong jurisdiction for the house being built, because it is in the city, and not the county, that governs that location, even though the website for the city made no mention of their having a building inspection department in the first place.

Yesterday sucked.

[refugee]

Government is supposed to exist for the people, but in reality it only exists to further its own agenda.
My belief is that basically all the worst people go into government, the ones that bossed around everyone or had a chip on their shoulder. All you have to do is try to get decent service from any of these entities and you will quickly realize the immature behavior of these so-called public servants.

[android654]

Government is supposed to exist for the people, but in reality it only exists to further its own agenda.
My belief is that basically all the worst people go into government, the ones that bossed around everyone or had a chip on their shoulder. All you have to do is try to get decent service from any of these entities and you will quickly realize the immature behavior of these so-called public servants.

That may be accurate, even as an ad populum statement about them, but it shouldn't discourage people who're somewhat idealistic from joining those ranks. If you observe the problem, and do nothing about it, then you are just as guilty as they are.

[Cynically Smiling]

o.o seriously I'd like to see some compelling arguments for government, from someone who supports it, breaking down how it functions and how it benefits us. ^^ plz.?

I already told you... it makes The Daily Show awesomer :P

More seriously... I got nothing. I mostly believe that it's one giant make-work project...