Where did the concept, in America, that government is good, come from?

1. 62

   The Old Guardposted 9 years ago

   Where did the concept, in America, that government is good, come from?
   
   I've been watching politics and economics for over 40 years, and both are full of lies and deceit.
   The founders of America created the Constitution to make sure that citizens kept a short leash on government policies.
   We have robbery by the government ("legal" taxes), spying of all citizens (illegal searches) robbery by seizure of funds (done by the IRS and ATF- no habeas corpus) and numerous other illegal actions by the U.S. Government.
   The Constitution was set up, not to protect government from citizens, but, to protect citizens from government.
   Why the change?
   
   

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2. 60

   Hazel Abeeposted 9 years ago

   I am not American but your question is similar to the question I would put up to my government too. As you mentioned the constitution was to protect citizens interests but instead it is not working in that manner. Probably it happens in most of the countries. Corruption and robbery is possibly part of politicians life. People who pursue the career in Politics probably do so because they intend to gain somethings in a 'fast' manner and not serve the citizens,
   
   There are a few things that I can see from outside (of America)  - (probably I am wrong too
   - that they do not practice 'Divide and Rule' policy where they divide the community into races or religion 
   - There is no stopping of people of any race/religion from being the leader of the nation
   - And if not mistaken there is a separation of church/religion and government in the constitution which can benefit even the minority groups.

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   1. 62

      The Old Guardposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      A pretty god understanding of the things you "see"
      In the U.S. it's a "check and balance" system, so that one group of a political extreme is not capable of amassing all the power in the country.
      We seem to have lost that system to an elite group.

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   2. 60

      Hazel Abeeposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Yes to the political extreme .. but the 'Term' policy for  Presidents to serve the nation is a good choice as after certain term the President has to step down giving way to the new elected president be it from the Republican or Democrat ..

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3. 83

   M. T. Dremerposted 9 years ago

   No government is perfect, but when used properly they can accomplish great things. And that's how they should be viewed; as a tool to make positive changes in the world. But that system only works if good people are going in and big money isn't. The greatest crime against our government is the spread of apathy; the idea that you can't get rid of corrupt politicians or get money out of politics. It's still a tool we can utilize to improve our situation in the world, but only if we fight for it. Corruption always fills the gaps when we aren't paying attention.

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   1. 62

      The Old Guardposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      The founders never viewed government as a "positive tool to make" change.
      Government's role was to regulate commerce and protect the citizens.
      Though government propaganda would have you believe the founders "loved" centralization of power.

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   2. 83

      M. T. Dremerposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Government as a tool to make change is my view, I wasn't implying it was the view of the founding fathers. Non-profits are another such tool. But my point was that we have the power to steer it.

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4. 80

   lovemychrisposted 9 years ago

   Seems like it's more to protect citizens from each other. And the Founding Men also owned black people, wives and children. They were far from Noble and Free. They were an improvement....but really only cared about men like themselves.
   
   I rather hold to the bill of rights, and Roosevelts' second bill of rights.
   
   Those make gvt Noble and Free.

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   1. 62

      The Old Guardposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      The Constitution sets up the basic structure of the U.S. Government.
      The Bill of Rights was written for greater constitutional protection for individual liberties from the government.
      The governments role was never to "equalize" prosperity.

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5. 81

   gregasposted 9 years ago

   My question is; "Where would we be without the government we have?" It might not be a perfect government, but it sure beats almost all other governments. I appreciate the way we are able to live because of our government. The people have to quit voting for the idiots and quit putting the same ones back in office year after year. My opinion, Greg.

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   1. 62

      The Old Guardposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Greg,
      Thx for the answer.
      The real question is how do we stop the bastardization of the Constitution, which was written to stop the type of Fascist (an authoritarian and nationalistic system of government) government we have today? Cheers

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   2. 81

      gregasposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I already said it. We have to quit re-electing the idiots, sponges actually. The ones that have been sitting in the House and the Senate for way too long. "Keep doing what you always did and you will always get what you always got". Greg

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6. 70

   dashingscorpioposted 9 years ago

   Every sovereign nation has a functioning government.
   One of the key roles of the government is to protect it's shores from both foreign and (domestic) terrorism. The events of 9-11 forever changed the notion of "spying" on citizens.
   The constitution is a living document which means it can and has been amended whenever the will of the people deemed it necessary.
   Government does not exist at the federal level only. States and cities also have governments. While the government is not the answer to every problem it also is not the source of every problem either.
   Right now if a hurricane struck it would be the federal government coming to aid that particular state and community. Many seniors would be hurting even more without Social Security and Medicare.
   Democracy and election results are generally how we determine the course of the nation, state, or city. However most recently people are frustrated and unhappy when the election results are not what (they) wanted. I prefer having the United States over being divided into 50 separate countries. Individuals make sacrifices for the whole.
   The U.S. government is far from perfect but there is no other nation (I) would rather live in or call home. We've come a long ways especially when you consider we are less than 240 years old compared to the rest of the world. You don't get this big, powerful, or rich this fast without doing some things right along the way.

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   1. 81

      gregasposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      That's basically what I said earlier. I love living in this country and wouldn't want to live anywhere else. We aren't a perfect country but we are far ahead of anyone else as far as I am concerned. As the old saying goes, "love it or leave it". Greg

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   2. 62

      The Old Guardposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      The founders wanted a limited government, hence they set up checks and balances.
      Now, we have a government that intrudes into all our affairs.
      My question is, When did this idea of limited government change into an all intrusive government?

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   3. 70

      dashingscorpioposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Your question was: Where did the concept, in America, that government is good, come from? It's not bad.
      By comparison we do have a limited government. As I noted 9-11 changed America concerning intrusiveness. Some view equality laws as intrusive!

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   4. 81

      gregasposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      As for the government checking e-mails or hearing conversations; if you aren't doing anything wrong, what do you have o worry about. Greg.

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   5. 62

      The Old Guardposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Since the government lies, and has for decades, if not centuries, they should be trusted with my private information?
      And I should trust them to use it ethically and fairly?
      Could I have some of what your smoking?

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   6. 81

      gregasposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Out of the millions of people that are being checked daily, do you really think you are significant enough that they would care about you. If you aren't doing anything wrong, you are nothing but a fly on the wall as far as they are concerned. Greg.

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   7. 62

      The Old Guardposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Greg,
      If you trust the government so much that you allow them to spy on your every move, why not give up all your rights?
      Let's just get rid of the Bill of Rights, and let the government do what ever it wants.
      You good with that?

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   8. 81

      gregasposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Old, you are getting way off track.

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   9. 62

      The Old Guardposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Greg,
      The only reason to have a bill of rights is to protect you from the government.
      But, let's do this - send me your checking account number and pass word. Since you have nothing to hide, send that to me. I won't do anything with it.
      That OK?

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7. 51

   bradmasterOCcalposted 9 years ago

   The change occurred when the Federal Government  started to usurp the powers of the states. They did this with the help of the US Supreme which misinterpreted the two lines of the Interstate Commerce Clause.
   
   IN order to support a bigger federal government, they had to create more and more taxes. So the original benign 1913 Income Tax Amendment generated a bloat of taxes so large that we have the Internal Revenue Code.
   
   The 16th Amendment didn't give the government to right to tax, but they solved the impediment of apportionment which is the basis of the Interstate Commerce Clause.
   
   Having passed that hurdle, the government was free to tax whatever they wanted, and try to make the federal government as big as they could.
   
   The founders never intended to generate a big federal government, their goal was to have the federal government represent the country to the world, and arbitrated any conflicts between the states.

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   1. 62

      The Old Guardposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for your comment bradmasterOCcal,
      I appreciate you taking the time to read the hub and post a comment.
      I understand what your saying.
      Where do people get the idea that a big , bloated government is good?
      Cheers

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