So, just what should Government provide?

[PBzeer]

I think it would be interesting to see what different people think the government is obligated to provide to it's citizens. There are certain things, mandated by the Constitution, as the responsibility of the Government, but what, if anything, beyond that, do you feel it is appropriate or necessary for the Government to provide? (See Section 8, Article 1)

Some government functions, are logical extensions of mandated functions (ie: the Interstate Highway System as an extension of post roads.) Others may seem logical extensions, but arise from such vague references, as to be matters of subjective, rather than objective, choice. (ie: Promote the general welfare as a justification for entitlement programs)

[chucklesR]

Copied from another thread John, but I'll get the ball rolling:

I'd do without everything not related to safety, defense, and maintenance of current programs at current levels. That's hard enough to get the yahoo's to do.
All of the pork, all of it - 2 million to research blueberries in upstate Maine etc.. every single penny, gone. If people want better blueberries they can research and test it on the open market.

Then start cutting any and every freaking program not mandated in the Constitution.
It would be cheaper to build hospitals and staff them than continue supporting Medicare. If you want healthcare free, sure. It will be government brand with as much quality as they add to any service/product.
Otherwise, pay for your own.

Unemployment insurance? The best insurance in the world is keeping up with current marketable skills and that is a individual responsibility, but if you want it, go work at the hospital, clean a street or work a job for the community while on the dole.
Welfare? Total cut. I'm a cold heartless bastard, get over it. Government has taken the place of family. It's time to revert back. Uncle Sam doesn't exert peer pressure to get lazy butts off chairs and behind the shovel, instead he just doles out checks that are wasted money. "Promote the general Welfare" in the Constitution was not meant to mean actively send cash to people, it meant provide the laws and structures of a safe society in which people can prosper.
You know why those news stories and human interest articles you see sometimes about people that bootstrapped themselves off the dole are considered 'news'?
Because it's unusual. We have to stop that. Reagan had it right, but the exceptions and loopholes grew to much.

[jgmartis]

First on my list of what the goverment should provide:

10-15 knot winds, fair weather and 1-3 foot waves


But keep this in mind when you post your answers: In the USA we are the goverment.

[cardiacpaul]

What should the gov't provide?

Awwww, this list is long...
secure borders
safety regs and enforcement (faa, ntsb, DOT FDA, ei-ei-o)
a military
standardized infrastructure (tlephones in idaho can connect with telephones in delaware... roads - common construction)

and a twenty two year old horny big boobed blonde named "peaches"

[sailingdog]

I think the Cuban would have issues with you and Peaches...

Originally Posted by cardiacpaul

What should the gov't provide?

Awwww, this list is long...
secure borders
safety regs and enforcement (faa, ntsb, DOT FDA, ei-ei-o)
a military
standardized infrastructure (tlephones in idaho can connect with telephones in delaware... roads - common construction)

and a twenty two year old horny big boobed blonde named "peaches"

[poopdeckpappy]

Originally Posted by jgmartis

But keep this in mind when you post your answers: In the USA we are the goverment.

What episode of Lost were you watching when you heard that ???

This Country, has not been " Run by The People for The People " for several decades now

I think it's time we realized, we only thought we won the cold war, when in reality, we've been losing it little by little since the late 60's

And now we're on the verge of throwing in the towel