Expansion of Government: What is Necessary?

We expect our government to pass and enforce laws that protect our safety, but who gets to decide what defines safety? Drinking large sodas is unhealthy, but does the government have the right to ban us from guzzling down a two liter? Does the government have the right to outlaw burkas because they disagree with Muslim values

The responsibilities of government are to protect its citizens by such means as our armed services or military weapons. Government is to ensure there is a way of fairly maintaining order as an example our police, National Guard, and to ensure every citizen has equal access to items, products, goods such as schools, and highways. However, government or politics often has a negative connotation too many as it is viewed as a way for lobbyists and those with money to make policies that are important or in some way helpful to them. Many view politics as dishonest and that politics is a manner in which someone or group benefits for their own advantage and not for society as a

The government’s role for the people is to challenge them like how contestants from “The Amazing Race” or “Fear Factor” are challenged. Government should be like a reality competition show filled with adventure and danger (Amazing Race, 2003) (Fear Factor, 2005). Just like the government in “The Hunger Games” (Collins, 2008). People should compete for rights and liberties. The competitions can be held under the government’s supervision. These competitions can involve multiple life daring tasks and only the ones that survive win. The losers or the ones not so fortunate die in the process, a true fight to the death. Government works from a federal standpoint and does not get involved in local affairs.

What is the government’s purpose? As defined by Bastiat, a French economist and author, it is “the organization of the natural right of lawful defense… for the purpose… of doing what they have a right to do, to secure persons, liberties, and properties, and to maintain each in its right, so as to cause justice to reign over all” (The Law 3). Therefore, if the government is doing something other than acting to protect the lives, liberties, or property of its citizens, it is stepping out of its bounds. In regards to the federal government, it has done this to an extreme. Before discussing the problems with the federal government’s megalomania, it is vital to understand the

The new country of the United States of America suffered many growing pains in trying to balance its commitment to liberty with the need for order. How much control is enough and what will be too much?

“The path to economic growth is not engineered by the government; rather, the path to economic prosperity is built by the people.” This quote relates to classical liberalism because it displays a ring wing perspective, which indicates devalued government authority in relation to aspects of individualism. Overall demonstrating the economic perspective that favours the absence of government involvement. It brings into question what the most efficient way to run an economy is, and what is the best way to manage an economy to maintain stability. Some believe that government intervention in an economy is dangerous because it adds to the nation’s overall inflation rate and national debt. Friedrich Hayek is an economic theorist supporting little

“the government may not jail, fine, or impose civil liability on people or organizations based on what they say or write, except in exceptional circumstances,” (Stone, Geoffrey). This shows that the government knows the population will try and obstruct, or hinder their progress. That if the citizens are allowed to change everything, that everything would constantly be delayed. In the United States, this is not the case. Over many years, the government has implemented ways that require a majority to get things changed. That way small groups of people can voice their opinions without bringing the government to a halt with changes. If anything, these changes help the government, and show officials were the problems are. They allow the government to see and understand people’s frustrations and work to fix them. In that way, the American government has remained strong, but yet flexible and susceptible to change at the same time.

But WHY? Why has the power of the federal government expanded so significantly? Was this shift in power from state governments to the federal government necessary?

After the Philadelphia Convention of 1787, it was voted that Constitution would become the new foundation of the national government, not the Articles of Confederation. At the time, there were thirteen individual states that had to vote to ratify or reject the Constitution. Within these thirteens states, there were two groups that consisted of the Federalists and the Antifederalists. The Federalists supported the Constitution; however, the Antifederalists opposed the Constitution.

Our flags have been raised from half-staff to full-staff since the terrorist attacks in the New York area and most of us Americans seem to be increasingly aware of our protecting freedoms. In 1787, our founding fathers created the greatest contract or agreement for freedom ever known to mankind. My "Brief American Pageant" history book lists two fundamental principles that directed them to the establishment of our Constitution. These guidelines were that, "the only legitimate government was one based on the consent of the governed and that the powers of the government should be limited" (117). Our Constitution clearly states that the power rests first in the people,

Government is an administration defined by the Constitution, but is also a constantly adjusting foundation by the efforts of its citizens. By Litherland (2014), government is defined as policies set in order to lead a body of people (p. 395). Over the span of time, the idea of government has been stretched, changed, and applied to various communities throughout both the nation and the world. Whether it was back in the eighteenth century, current, or in the very near future—government has existed and will continue to exist for its people and the nation it has built its foundation upon. With the use of multiple authors, those of: “Difference between Direct and Representative Democracy” (n.d.), “Federalism - Dividing Power between States and the

We live in this country for the land, and the for the free as Americans we rely on many attributes in this world in order for us to live our lives. Our government has supplied us with many great things for us to be proud of. Our government is “the institutions and processes though which public policies are made for society.” (Edwards, Wattenberg, and Lineberry, p. 7). With all these institutions which includes the President, Congress, the courts and all the federal administrative agencies. These are the institutions that make up public policies for us, and to shape the way we live as Americans. The way this system has been operating through all the years has been

The role of government has developed throughout the years changing the way we view and act in society today. For example, the national government ensure that the citizens of the United States are all treated equally, applies law and order, and provides opportunities. The government has changed dramatically since we now have social media, newspapers, and the radio. However , not only has the government provided a strong impact in society in a positive way, but it has also impacted the society in negative ways. As a nation the public has found many imperfection in our government that they want to change. Public opinion has caused negative feedback through media and political participation . The government is trying to help the people by

limited and “constrained by the need to represent the point of view of the government.” Public

Have you ever wondered about the role of government in society? Henry Cloud, a leadership expert and psychologist, claims that “every human being must have boundaries in order to have successful relationships or a successful performance in life” (Cloud). However, on the broader spectrum, can this message also apply to our government? Even if you have not considered these two questions, you will certainly have expectations from the government, which may be related to your wellbeing and/or the society’s wellbeing. Since each individual has different expectations, it is easier to analyze the role of government by considering societal expectations. Societal expectations are commonly shared views about the role of an exceptional government, which would include security, right to equal opportunity, and economic prosperity. Thus, the role of a government is to ensure that the country is moving towards economic prosperity along with providing security to its residents. However, does this mean that all of the government’s decisions are directed towards this responsibility? Unfortunately, this is not always the case; there are many times of when a government oversteps its boundaries by hindering economic progress or sacrificing domestic security. One example of this would be the USA’s decision to send its military aid to Pakistan for fighting terrorism. Nonetheless, there are also many times of when a government acts within its boundaries by ensuring the protection of its residents.