Why Do We Have Government?
Here are 3 different, influential points of view, given in answer to that question:
Why Do We Have Government?
-- Without government there would be "continual fear and danger of violent death and life would be solitary, poor nasty, brutish and short."
-- Humans are basically selfish creatures.
- Thomas Hobbes 1588-1679
Why Do We Have Government?
-- Locke believed that man had natural rights: life, liberty and the pursuit of property.
-- People choose to have a government, a social contract, to protect our natural rights.
- John Locke 1632-1704
Why Do We Have Government?
-- "Why has government been instituted at all? Because the passions of men will not conform to the dictates of reason and justice, without constraint."
- Alexander Hamilton (1787)
Why Do We Have Government?
-- Because our government settles conflicts.
-- We cannot decide among ourselves how to divide our resources.
-- Our government has the authority to make their decisions legal.
Why Do We Have Government?
-- Because our government provides things for us that we could not do independently.
-- Construction of roads, police and fire protection, health and environmental codes.
Why Do We Have Government?
-- Because our government protects our entire nation.
-- The government raises and fund the military, defense systems, and immigration.
Why Do We Have Government?
-- Because our government makes decisions and policy that directs our country.
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What is the Purpose of Government?
-- "Form a more perfect Union".
-- Link the states and the American people together.
-- With this union there would be strength.
What is the Purpose of Government?
-- "Establish Justice".
-- The law must be reasonable, fair and impartial.
What is the Purpose of Government?
-- "Ensure Domestic Tranquility."
-- To keep the peace at home.
-- James Madison wrote in the Federalist Papers #51, "if men were angels, no government would be necessary."
What is the Purpose of Government?
-- "Provide for the Common Defense".
-- Protect us from other nations.
-- This includes the security of the US.
What is the Purpose of Government?
-- "Promote the General Welfare".
-- Do whatever is necessary to make life safe and healthy for all Americans.
-- This includes air, food and water.
What is the Purpose of Government?
-- "and Secure the Blessings of Liberty".
-- The government defines how free people can be without intruding upon the freedoms of others.
-- People must stand up and protect the rights of all for all to be free.
What is the Purpose of Government?
-- "to ourselves and our posterity".
-- The government plans to ensure these freedoms and rights for the people of 1790 and for future generations.
Source: Link
Foundations of American Government
Government and the State
Chapter 1, Section 1, (pgs 4-10)
And Finally,
Why don't our Elections,
Why doesn't our Traditional Media,
Why don't our school curriculums,
TEACH these simple and elegant goals and principles anymore?
And Why don't our duly chosen representatives,
strengthen and enhance and PURSUE,
the purposes for which we have a Government for -- in the first place?
Inquiring Minds should want to know ...
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Extra Credit and Gold Stars: for your own answers
to any of these simple, but profound, questions.
many thanks for you consideration.