Examining the role of Government and coming to some agreement.

 

Traditionally, conservatives view the role of federal government to defend its citizens and promote commerce. That's about it.

 

The role of government expanded rapidly, first with The New Deal, then in the 60's with a myriad of social and environmental programs unprecedented in the history of the country prior.

 

Liberalism evolved in hand with governments expanding sociological role. As this role grew, liberal expectations for government grew. Now government is expected to alleviate poverty, educate our children, resolve social injustice. Most of this role expansion was covered by faith based organizations.

 

So, what say you? What should the role of Federal Government be, and why?

Examining the role of Government and coming to some agreement.

 

Traditionally, conservatives view the role of federal government to defend its citizens and promote commerce. That's about it.

 

The role of government expanded rapidly, first with The New Deal, then in the 60's with a myriad of social and environmental programs unprecedented in the history of the country prior.

 

Liberalism evolved in hand with governments expanding sociological role. As this role grew, liberal expectations for government grew. Now government is expected to alleviate poverty, educate our children, resolve social injustice. Most of this role expansion was covered by faith based organizations.

 

So, what say you? What should the role of Federal Government be, and why?

 

I don't think liberals expect government to alleviate poverty and resolve social injustice. I think liberals want a society that will not allow people to starve to death. I think liberals want a society that does not oppress people. I think liberals want a government that will support those beliefs.

 

Further, I believe conservatives would be surprised that liberals favor a work your way off of welfare and other similar programs. I don't think liberals believe in "freeloading".

 

Unfortunately, most of the laws in government came into being because our society failed and individual people were suffering. Government laws and programs were established out of need and to protect those people.

 

That is my view of liberals and government programs.

It is always interesting to me, the way people think about liberals. I have never met a liberal who wanted everything for free. I have only met a couple of liberals who didn't have a job or two or three. I have met poor people who receive social aid, some were liberals and some were conservative. I have never met someone who was living a good life on social aid. I have met people you'd look at and never suspect were receiving aid, and I've met people you'd assume were on social aid who have never received a dime from the government, save tax refunds. There just is no getting around the fact that there are no easy answers, and we do more harm than good when we try to paint with broad brushes.

Im note sure the people of this contry want the divide healed to start with.

It is always interesting to me, the way people think about liberals. I have never met a liberal who wanted everything for free. I have only met a couple of liberals who didn't have a job or two or three. I have met poor people who receive social aid, some were liberals and some were conservative. I have never met someone who was living a good life on social aid. I have met people you'd look at and never suspect were receiving aid, and I've met people you'd assume were on social aid who have never received a dime from the government, save tax refunds. There just is no getting around the fact that there are no easy answers, and we do more harm than good when we try to paint with broad brushes.

 

I fully understand and believe that not everyone that receives aid are freeloaders.

 

I will say I have met and know people that receive aid and are living the good life off of the government. They do exist.

I don't think liberals expect government to alleviate poverty and resolve social injustice. I think liberals want a society that will not allow people to starve to death. I think liberals want a society that does not oppress people. I think liberals want a government that will support those beliefs.

 

Further, I believe conservatives would be surprised that liberals favor a work your way off of welfare and other similar programs. I don't think liberals believe in "freeloading".

 

Unfortunately, most of the laws in government came into being because our society failed and individual people were suffering. Government laws and programs were established out of need and to protect those people.

 

That is my view of liberals and government programs.

 

I believe what you state is true for individuals like Hubert Humphrey or Jimmy Carter, but not for Jesse Jackson, Al Gore, HRC or Bernie Sanders and his followers. And while many programs were created to help certain individuals and the problems they faced, all government help efforts have a way of becoming Hydra-type programs. Growing out of control as time goes by.

Im note sure the people of this contry want the divide healed to start with.

 

Honest question seeking honest answer... What about you? Would you like to see the divide healed?

I am currently reading Charlie Crist' book - The Party's Over about why he left the GOP. Gov. Crisp was a uniter and had great bipartisan success while governor of FLA. He writes about his disdain for divisive politics and how detrimental it is for the country. It seems like such a simple idea- our entire country benefits when we work together rather than against one another. I'm just not very hopeful that we will return to any semblance of bipartisanship anytime soon. The Reagan-Tip O' Neil days seem so long ago.

Edited May 8, 20179 yr by Science Friction

I don't think liberals expect government to alleviate poverty and resolve social injustice. I think liberals want a society that will not allow people to starve to death. I think liberals want a society that does not oppress people. I think liberals want a government that will support those beliefs.

 

Further, I believe conservatives would be surprised that liberals favor a work your way off of welfare and other similar programs. I don't think liberals believe in "freeloading".

 

Unfortunately, most of the laws in government came into being because our society failed and individual people were suffering. Government laws and programs were established out of need and to protect those people.

 

That is my view of liberals and government programs.

 

Does the person that chooses to drop out of school, chooses not to seek employment, chooses not to support their children merit support by tax payers? Do taxpayers have the right to expect responsible personal decisions as a requirement for continued support? Where does charity end, and dependence begin? Who is better suited to make this judgement, federal government, or, say The Catholic Church?

Does the person that chooses to drop out of school, chooses not to seek employment, chooses not to support their children merit support by tax payers?

 

Absolutley not.

 

Do taxpayers have the right to expect responsible personal decisions as a requirement for continued support?

 

Yes, I believe so.

 

Where does charity end, and dependence begin? Who is better suited to make this judgement, federal government, or, say The Catholic Church?

 

The answer should be whoever is dishing out the help, and in most cases that is the federal government.

Does the person that chooses to drop out of school, chooses not to seek employment, chooses not to support their children merit support by tax payers? Do taxpayers have the right to expect responsible personal decisions as a requirement for continued support? Where does charity end, and dependence begin? Who is better suited to make this judgement, federal government, or, say The Catholic Church?

 

There's no denying that there are more than a few people that are taking advantage of the system. But, what few seem to acknowledge, is that the majority are not. And people seem to be happily willing to cut that majority off simply to punish the few that scamming. Government assistance is not the path to a glamorous life. And prevailing thought that those that are on assistance are there because they are lazy is just old and tired. Many of us are just one disaster from needing help. Most people aren't collecting assistance because they want to...most have to just to barely scrape by. It just seems like it's an all to common practice to villianize the poor and less fortunate.

There's no denying that there are more than a few people that are taking advantage of the system. But, what few seem to acknowledge, is that the majority are not. And people seem to be happily willing to cut that majority off simply to punish the few that scamming. Government assistance is not the path to a glamorous life. And prevailing thought that those that are on assistance are there because they are lazy is just old and tired. Many of us are just one disaster from needing help. Most people aren't collecting assistance because they want to...most have to just to barely scrape by. It just seems like it's an all to common practice to villianize the poor and less fortunate.

 

Agree with all of this.

There's no denying that there are more than a few people that are taking advantage of the system. But, what few seem to acknowledge, is that the majority are not. And people seem to be happily willing to cut that majority off simply to punish the few that scamming. Government assistance is not the path to a glamorous life. And prevailing thought that those that are on assistance are there because they are lazy is just old and tired. Many of us are just one disaster from needing help. Most people aren't collecting assistance because they want to...most have to just to barely scrape by. It just seems like it's an all to common practice to villianize the poor and less fortunate.

 

According to this source, fraud in government programs is 20 - 25%. Of those that collect w/o legal fraud, how many could be working?

 

On average, 2 to 25 cents of every $1 spent on four government assistance programs is lost to fraud, Sen. Ron Johnson says | PolitiFact Wisconsin

According to this source, fraud in government programs is 20 - 25%. Of those that collect w/o legal fraud, how many could be working?

 

On average, 2 to 25 cents of every $1 spent on four government assistance programs is lost to fraud, Sen. Ron Johnson says | PolitiFact Wisconsin

 

What is your solution? Taking away assistance from 4/5 people because the other one is committing fraud?

 

As to how many could be working, you're assuming all of them aren't working just because they choose not to. I've learned recently that it's not as easy to get a job as many think. Especially when you lose a job you've had for several years and can only find a job making a fraction of the salary you're used to.

There's no denying that there are more than a few people that are taking advantage of the system. But, what few seem to acknowledge, is that the majority are not. And people seem to be happily willing to cut that majority off simply to punish the few that scamming. Government assistance is not the path to a glamorous life. And prevailing thought that those that are on assistance are there because they are lazy is just old and tired. Many of us are just one disaster from needing help. Most people aren't collecting assistance because they want to...most have to just to barely scrape by. It just seems like it's an all to common practice to villianize the poor and less fortunate.

 

I'm sure all don't want the majority punished but those that are abusing the system do need to be weeded out and cut off. The problem I see is that many are willing to ignore those that are abusing the system.

 

The system needs to be revised, also. Many elderly need assistance but are unable to get it because they own their own home. How ridiculous. They've worked hard all their life and paid for their home but because their SS isn't enough to live on, they are punished. It's things like this that drive me nuts about government programs.