BS: Government: It's, it's...People!

Subject: BS: Government: It's, it's...People!
From: saulgoldie
Date: 26 Sep 11 - 10:09 AM

Government is a formal process by which society organizes issues and makes policies so that society can exist in a more orderly manner for the best interests of the most.

Government is made up of people. Those people have jobs. They do many things that the rest of us either choose not to do or can't do for ourselves.

The people in the government build infrastructure. Roads, bridges, airports, etc. They enforce regulations that promote safe food, drugs, and commerce. They enforce the laws that society agrees on so that society may be safer. We cannot reasonably build our own roads, regulate air travel, or assure our own safe water or pure food or drugs.

Wherever there is more than one person, some form of governmental process and structure will necessarily exist. Some governments are elected through a process that approximates democracy. Some governments are imposed by force. Some are more egalitarian, and some are more authoritarian. But in all societies, there is some form of government. Those who suggest that government should be irrelevant do not understand.

Saul

Subject: RE: BS: Government: It's, it's...People!
From: GUEST,999
Date: 26 Sep 11 - 11:02 AM

I would have agreed with you many years back, Saul. I no longer do. I do agree that forms of government will exist. However, it behooves me to point out that these days people from upper classes (read rich) are over represented in the various seats of government, and so while you're correct, I think maybe--with no offense meant--that you are remiss in asking poor people, marginalized people, to accept what is served up as a government of the people, by the people and for the people. It ain't, and it just don't work like that no more.

Safe drugs: but too expensive for the poor to get.

Best interests of the most: ??? Elect a government that gives billions to banks when some folks don't have enough to eat or a place to live? Bankers are the most?

When established governments begin to work in favour of one group to the detriment of another, it's time to change that form of government. YMMV.

Best wishes to you.

Subject: RE: BS: Government: It's, it's...People!
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 26 Sep 11 - 12:09 PM

Are you sure? I pretty much convinced that George W. Bush was a toon.

If you don't know about toons, read "Who Killed Roger Rabbit."

Subject: RE: BS: Government: It's, it's...People!
From: Little Hawk
Date: 26 Sep 11 - 12:12 PM

Brilliant! Yes, George Bush IS a toon. And so is Barack Obama. And so is Chongo.

Just yield to your fate, because your fate is to be ruled over by imaginary entities who look pretty good in a suit (specially Chongo).

Subject: RE: BS: Government: It's, it's...People!
From: Bill D
Date: 26 Sep 11 - 12:40 PM

Government IS the people...run by the Golden Rule.

"He who has the gold, makes the rules."

Subject: RE: BS: Government: It's, it's...People!
From: Little Hawk
Date: 26 Sep 11 - 12:42 PM

Yup. The gold...and the guns. Of course, he who has the gold also has the lion's share of the guns. It used to be the swords...but not much has really changed except the equipment.

Subject: RE: BS: Government: It's, it's...People!
From: Little Hawk
Date: 26 Sep 11 - 01:04 PM

saul - I do wish to say that your original point is well taken, and I gather it's a response to the lunatic propaganda on the political Right in the USA. The only societies where one finds very little government are small tribal hunter-gatherer societies such as the Inuit or various Native American groups in traditional times....and even in those there was some form of government. Just not very much of it. It basically amounted to the commonly agreed-upon authority of the elders in the community.

As soon as you introduce concepts like land ownership, permanent settlements, money, banking, standing armies, legal codes, licenses, etc...government becomes quite complex, and the more complex it becomes the harder it is for the ordinary people to deal with it or understand it...or, for that matter, to directly affect it. The people basically give over much of their personal sovereignty to various distant authoritative sources, and that's exactly what makes them feel uncomfortable about the situation. At the same time, they can't really escape it, and it does provide for a good many of their practical needs.

It's a compromise.

Subject: RE: BS: Government: It's, it's...People!
From: GUEST,VirginiaTam - marginalised
Date: 27 Sep 11 - 02:43 AM

and "truth is measured by the weight of your gold." or your oil or your cheap labour or your lax environmental laws..

The marginalised all over the globe are now starting to develop a voice, they are growing tooth and claw.

Subject: RE: BS: Government: It's, it's...People!
From: GUEST,Songbob
Date: 27 Sep 11 - 05:05 PM

The perfect libertarian paradise now exists on earth. A place with no government, no taxes, and pure individualism rampant.

It's called, "Somalia."

And the original post says nothing about how GOOD a government is, nor how much effect one's wallet has on his rights. That's not the point of the original post.

Bob

Subject: RE: BS: Government: It's, it's...People!
From: GUEST,Lizzie Cornish
Date: 27 Sep 11 - 05:14 PM

"People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people." - taken from the brilliant film 'V for Vendetta' (which has given rise to The Anonymous Movement)

We now have to become our own leaders, as Chief Oren Lyons says...

Subject: RE: BS: Government: It's, it's...People!
From: Ed T
Date: 27 Sep 11 - 06:01 PM

Governments have and will continue to exst. The question is in whose interests does each one toll?