What should be the role of government

[Citizen James]

Taken from "The intelectual president" scenerio of PForever.  I'm curious to see how people vote

[A18]

NOTA, and option 4 is not even a 'role'

[Emsworth]

None of the Above.

The role of the government should be, first and foremost, to protect the rights of the People. The government should also ensure Justice and order, provide for the common defense, and promote the general welfare. These purposes, however, are all really corollaries of the fundamental purpose of protecting rights.

(Note: I use "general welfare" in a limited sense, not in the rather broad sense that some suggest. For example, immigration policy should be tailored to promote the general welfare. I don't mean to include universal healthcare, for example, under the heading of promoting the general welfare.)

[ilikeverin]

NOTA, they're all too specific.

[Emsworth]

NOTA, they're all too specific.

What do you feel (if you don't mind me asking) is the role or purpose of government?

[Citizen James]

To provide for the common welfare of the people, particualary in matters where private industry would not be effective over the long term in meeting socital needs - Defense, education, security,public safety,  the resolution of disputes, etc; and to moderate trade to make sure agreements are enforced, and that certain minimal standards of quality are required.

Essentially between option 2 and 2.

[John Dibble]

None of the Above.

The role of the government should be, first and foremost, to protect the rights of the People. The government should also ensure Justice and order, provide for the common defense, and promote the general welfare. These purposes, however, are all really corollaries of the fundamental purpose of protecting rights.

(Note: I use "general welfare" in a limited sense, not in the rather broad sense that some suggest. For example, immigration policy should be tailored to promote the general welfare. I don't mean to include universal healthcare, for example, under the heading of promoting the general welfare.)

Very well put.

[ilikeverin]

NOTA, they're all too specific.

What do you feel (if you don't mind me asking) is the role or purpose of government?

It seems to be rather similar to yours, except with a much looser definition of "promoting the general welfare" of course.

[A18]

To protect the rights of the people, and to protect the rights of the people only.

But since every right is a God-granted privilege, option 5.

[Frodo]

Options two and three -though since I am forced by this poll to pick only one, option 3. 

[Cubby]

Option 2, Thats also what Thomas Jefferson would have wanted.

And A18 please don't criticize my historical knowledge
I'm sure we both see the "Founding Fathers" in different ways.

[Bono]

Government is an institution used by some to kill or enslave others and steal their property, and can be nothing else.

[opebo]

Government is an institution used by some to kill or enslave others and steal their property, and can be nothing else.

So we should look to those who control our government and hold all the property as the oppressors?

[Bono]

Government is an institution used by some to kill or enslave others and steal their property, and can be nothing else.

So we should look to those who control our government and hold all the property as the oppressors?

Politicians, policemen and bureocrats don't "hold" all the property.
They don't have to, since they control it anyway.

[MODU]

The government exists to handle the things that the states cannot, such as defending the union, making international treaties, interstate commerce, etc.  Things that affect the state, and only the state, should be handled within the state.

[opebo]

Government is an institution used by some to kill or enslave others and steal their property, and can be nothing else.

So we should look to those who control our government and hold all the property as the oppressors?

Politicians, policemen and bureocrats don't "hold" all the property.
They don't have to, since they control it anyway.

I was refering to the owning class, which controls everything around us.

[Bono]

Government is an institution used by some to kill or enslave others and steal their property, and can be nothing else.

So we should look to those who control our government and hold all the property as the oppressors?

Politicians, policemen and bureocrats don't "hold" all the property.
They don't have to, since they control it anyway.

I was refering to the owning class, which controls everything around us.

Wow, you're getting paranoid.
What next, all of the members of this "owning class" are freemason lizardmen?

[John Dibble]

Government is an institution used by some to kill or enslave others and steal their property, and can be nothing else.

So we should look to those who control our government and hold all the property as the oppressors?

Politicians, policemen and bureocrats don't "hold" all the property.
They don't have to, since they control it anyway.

I was refering to the owning class, which controls everything around us.

Wow, you're getting paranoid.
What next, all of the members of this "owning vlass" are freemason lizardmen?

RUN, THE OWNING CLASS IS COMING! OH NOES!

[David S]

The federal government's duties are spelled out in the constitution. Essentially that consists of the following:
Defense
The federal justice system
The Post office
The Treasury
The Patent office
The Mint
Treaties
Regulate interstate commerce and trade with foreign nations

[Beefalow and the Consumer]

The federal government's duties are spelled out in the constitution. Essentially that consists of the following:
Defense
The federal justice system
The Post office
The Treasury
The Patent office
The Mint
Treaties
Regulate interstate commerce and trade with foreign nations

...and collect income tax (16th amendment)

[ilikeverin]

Government is an institution used by some to kill or enslave others and steal their property, and can be nothing else.

So we should look to those who control our government and hold all the property as the oppressors?

Politicians, policemen and bureocrats don't "hold" all the property.
They don't have to, since they control it anyway.

I was refering to the owning class, which controls everything around us.

Wow, you're getting paranoid.

Sorry, it was too perfect

[opebo]

Government is an institution used by some to kill or enslave others and steal their property, and can be nothing else.

So we should look to those who control our government and hold all the property as the oppressors?

Politicians, policemen and bureocrats don't "hold" all the property.
They don't have to, since they control it anyway.

I was refering to the owning class, which controls everything around us.

Wow, you're getting paranoid.
What next, all of the members of this "owning class" are freemason lizardmen?

What do you think 'owning' something means?

[Bono]

Government is an institution used by some to kill or enslave others and steal their property, and can be nothing else.

So we should look to those who control our government and hold all the property as the oppressors?

Politicians, policemen and bureocrats don't "hold" all the property.
They don't have to, since they control it anyway.

I was refering to the owning class, which controls everything around us.

Wow, you're getting paranoid.
What next, all of the members of this "owning class" are freemason lizardmen?

What do you think 'owning' something means?

The "owning class" doesn't own everything around me.

[opebo]

Government is an institution used by some to kill or enslave others and steal their property, and can be nothing else.

So we should look to those who control our government and hold all the property as the oppressors?

Politicians, policemen and bureocrats don't "hold" all the property.
They don't have to, since they control it anyway.

I was refering to the owning class, which controls everything around us.

Wow, you're getting paranoid.
What next, all of the members of this "owning class" are freemason lizardmen?

What do you think 'owning' something means?

The "owning class" doesn't own everything around me.

Obviously they do, by definition.

Or are you making a distinction between your middle-class hovels and the means of production?

[MasterJedi]

To protect the people from foreign threats.