06 Dec 06
What do people believe that the role of government should be? What is it proper for them to provide for the general community? Should they interfere in the market? Should they raise taxes and if so what should they spend them on? Should they attempt to assist people out of poverty?
06 Dec 06
Originally posted by mancityboyThe role of government is to support and protect the capitalist class in it's exploitation of it's domestic workers and to secure new markets for them through military might. This is why they need overthrowing.
What do people believe that the role of government should be? What is it proper for them to provide for the general community? Should they interfere in the market? Should they raise taxes and if so what should they spend them on? Should they attempt to assist people out of poverty?
07 Dec 06
Originally posted by DeepThoughtOverthrowing to what? Anarchy will quickly dissolve into a new government in some form, probably a dictatorship. So what is the perfect government? I think that by virtue of the principle of "power corrupts", the only perfect government in principle would be one where every person has an equal say in determining taxes, new laws, etc. However, in practise people usually cannot agree, so some form of compromise must be reached. Democracy seems to be a fairly good compromise, but unfortunately it never seems to last very long as people become complacent and apathetic. So how do we stop this? I wish I knew. As to specific policies on things like taxes, there are various systems that can work, all of which have their advantages and disadvantages. Which system a government employs ideally should be determined by the needs of that particular country at that particular time.
The role of government is to support and protect the capitalist class in it's exploitation of it's domestic workers and to secure new markets for them through military might. This is why they need overthrowing.
07 Dec 06
Originally posted by mancityboyProbably better if you do your own research and write your own homework assignment.
What do people believe that the role of government should be? What is it proper for them to provide for the general community? Should they interfere in the market? Should they raise taxes and if so what should they spend them on? Should they attempt to assist people out of poverty?
07 Dec 06
Originally posted by mancityboyGovernment should do for us those things that the free market does not do well or does not do at all.
What do people believe that the role of government should be? What is it proper for them to provide for the general community? Should they interfere in the market? Should they raise taxes and if so what should they spend them on? Should they attempt to assist people out of poverty?
Providing for the common defense, defining and administering justice, providing emergency disaster response, and managing environmental resources are some that I can think of. Administering national highways, parks, and historic monuments. Issuing US identity cards, passports. Things like the US Census and the Center for Disease Control are useful. A national, standardized high school exam and driver's license as many other countries have.
If government provides us these services, then of course we should pay for them. It should be obvious to us what we are paying for.
Assisting people out of poverty should be done by means of a negative income tax. It's a very simple system to administer.
A balanced budget amendment should definitely be passed -- only to be breached in times of DECLARED war -- and balanced as soon as feasible once the war is over.
07 Dec 06
Originally posted by whiteroseYou are right. Most humans don't have enough self-control and foresight to function under an anarchic system. You need exceptionally mature and wise indivudals for that system to work.
Overthrowing to what? Anarchy will quickly dissolve into a new government in some form, probably a dictatorship. So what is the perfect government? I think that by virtue of the principle of "power corrupts", the only perfect government in principle would be one where every person has an equal say in determining taxes, new laws, etc. However, in practise p ...[text shortened]... ideally should be determined by the needs of that particular country at that particular time.
Probably none of us would qualify.
08 Dec 06
Originally posted by mancityboyyes, yes, and yes. the problem is, there is no purely negative body (in the US). except maybe the Supreme Court.
What do people believe that the role of government should be? What is it proper for them to provide for the general community? Should they interfere in the market? Should they raise taxes and if so what should they spend them on? Should they attempt to assist people out of poverty?
no check on its growth except itself. Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
08 Dec 06
Originally posted by wedgehead2There used to be a check. When Senators were appointed by the states rather than elected by popular vote, the Senators owed their jobs to state legislators, and thus there was a balance of power between states and the federal government.
No check except the electorate you mean.
09 Dec 06
4 edits
Originally posted by DeepThoughtNo, no, no. The role of government is to tax and tax and tax and tax some more and then redistribute the money as they see fit. This is because they have shown such great wisdom in how to do so in the past. In fact, the bigger it gets the merrier. This is because we look to government to solve all of our problems and they don't dissappoint. So suckle up to the breast of Big Brother!! In fact, when you go to retire they will reward you with all the taxes you pay them by providing you with a fabulous retirement program known as social security, Why save money for your own retirement when you can pay Big Brother to do it for you? In fact, it is nearly impossible to even try to save for your own retirement with all the taxes you must pay so why tryl? Just leave it to Big Brother. After all, he is cares about you and is looking out for you. 😉
The role of government is to support and protect the capitalist class in it's exploitation of it's domestic workers and to secure new markets for them through military might. This is why they need overthrowing.