just wanting to know what you all think

is the role of the govt
to do as the people of the country wish?
to do what will benefit the country most?
to do what is morally right?
something else?

Depends on the form of government you have.

The United States Constitution lays out specific guidelines for the government...(too bad politicians have trampled those).

I believe government should protect me and my private property. They should recognize that it only exsist because of me and it is accountable to me.

I can provide for my own family.

Depends on the form of government you have.

The United States Constitution lays out specific guidelines for the government...(too bad politicians have trampled those).

I believe government should protect me and my private property. They should recognize that it only exsist because of me and it is accountable to me.

I can provide for my own family.

Very true. But if when you go to the polls you vote democrat or republican, you deserve every abuse they afford you.

The purpose of gov. is to protect the governed's rights to Life, Liberty, and The Pursuit of Happiness. So says Aristotle, who was repeated by Locke, who was repeated by Rand and numerous others. Not to say that it is right because they said so, but I won't go in depth now.

Now, it should seem necessary, to protect the Pursuit of Happiness, free trade and property rights would be most important. However, they are being beaten down every chance they try to stand up.

The purpose of gov. is NOT to protect the governed from themselves(Like protecting me from cancer by smoking), but from others(Protecting me from a drunk driver). It is NOT to start social security programs and medicare and the like. It is NOT to control any aspect of trade AT ALL. Unless, it is illegal trade(Trading of Marijuana, those sort of things).

the purpose of government is much more simpler than that even. at the heart of it the government's only main purpose is to have a legitimate monopoly on violence. in that sense everybody can leave the state of nature (as dwelt on by guys like hobbes, locke and rousseau) and function in a society, to whatever shape the society is built around.

Take our money and feed us with lies.

That's what they do, granted, but not their purpose.

Yes, they must have a monopoly on violence. The only part that can use force legally, and in retalliation(and that is the only form it should EVER be used. But, some people don't realize that, so it's the only from the gov should EVER use).

But, first you must understand what is violent, what an act of force is. That is where the premises of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness arise.

if the government is Me, then the role is to screw the people over for my benefit.
if the government is Not Me, then its role is to be screwed over for my benefit.

whatever benefits me.