In defense of government.

[kentuck]

Democrats are the Party of government. We should not run from that fact. We believe in good government but only as much government as is needed. We do not believe in small government for the sake of being "small".

When teachers are laid off and and people are hungry and without jobs, we need more government. When the potholes are breaking parts in your car and streetlights are turned off because we cannot afford them, we need more government. When people are discriminated against and there is hatred, we need more government.

There is some government we do not need. We do not need huge subsidies for corporate farmers. We do not need to take money from the middle class to give tax breaks to the wealthy. We do not need to be spending $1 million per soldier in a war in which we should no longer be involved.

There is good government and bad government. Democrats believe in good government. Republicans believe in government but only when it benefits the few at the top, not when it benefits the general welfare of the people.

At this critical time, we need government that works for the people. We need a Party that is willing to defend the necessity of government. We do not need politicians that agree with taxcuts that benefit the few and cuts government to the point that it cannot help the people. We need less Republican government and more Democratic government.

[suston96]

1. I posted this on another thread.....

Limited government?
Posted by suston96 in Latest Breaking News
Sun Oct 10th 2010, 06:03 PM

First of all, what is 'government'?

I define government as the body of laws under which people in a society agree to live. In our societies, we elect some of us to make those laws.

The population recently passed 310 million people in our American society, and we say we want less government? More people but less government. That's an idea. Think about it -

More roads and cars but fewer traffic lights, stop signs, danger signs and the rest. Oh, they are not part of government. No? How did they get there? Our elected representatives created them and placed them there.

Increases in population need increased control. If that control can be accomplished without more rules and regulations then by all means, keep the government small. Otherwise? Get those roadsigns in there because if that isn't done there will be blood on the highways and on the streets of our towns and cities.

The size and expanse of government - read body of laws - depends on the quality and degree of security and tranquility the individual society wants or needs. Downsize government if that's what is decided by the people, but be prepared to bear the consequences of inadequate control over 310 million people - and climbing.

[kentuck]

2. Good post suston96

"Small" government is not necessarily better. Less cops can bring more crime to a neighborhood. Less firefighters could mean more homes lost to fires. More potholes could cause more accidents, even deaths. Etc...etc.

[lyonn]

3. It is so basic......

How do the repubs get by with dismissing the importance of the rules of the road, or protection of the masses? Wall Street is a perfect example of less govt.......

[kentuck]

4. Very true.

Repubs does not want government to make any rules for Wall Street or the Big Bankers. That is the primary reason our economy is in such a mess today.

[Stuart G]

5. Very well said..K and R

[Stuart G]

6. How about this in "defense of government"..

Social Security
Meidcare
Civil Rights Legislation
Minimum Wage.
Pure Food and Drug Laws
Pell Grants
National Parks...ever been to Yellowstone or Yosemite National Park?..maybe the Grand Canyon?...immagine those places is private hands??
Interstate Hiway System
Food Stamps..
Welfare

The Pukes were against them all..




got more?...add them

[Dr Morbius]

7. Government is, or rather can be, a profoundly good thing.

Without government, there can be no law.
Without law, there is no justice.
Without justice, there can be no freedom.
Ergo, without government, we would not enjoy freedom.

Not smaller government; better government.

[Odin2005]

8. we are the Party of PEOPLE. Government is only a means to an end.

[kentuck]

9. What is the "end"?

If government is the "means"?

[Odin2005]

10. Equality, liberty, and civil rights.

[Arkana]

11. We believe in smart government--and right now, that's government

that actively works to better the lives of its citizens.