Expectations of the Government.

[Reverenddel]

This morning on the radio a guy who ran a poll about taxes said "We expect the government to do so much."

That statement irked me. I don't expect the government to do so much. In fact, I have few expectations for it. The list is pretty short actually:
1.) Infrastructure.
2.) Emergency services (IE: Fire, Police, EMT)
3.) Water/Electric Grid upgrades/installations.
4.) Accredit Education sources (NOT PROVIDE THEM!)
5.) Establish a monetary system based on precious metals.


That's it. Everything else, I think we could do okay on our own. Or have I missed something? Help fill in the blanks.

[dorminWS]

I don't think that most education accreditation organizations are governmental. I'm pretty sure most or all of them are associations of schools and educational entities. Which may be part of our problem. But getting the government any deeper into education ain't in my opinion a good notion.

[SHMIV]

I expect the Federal Government to provide infrastructure, protection from outside threat, and a monetary system. I do think that a Federal DOT that oversees the Interstate Highway System may be useful.

Education can be handled locally, as can emergency services and utilities.

Although, a heavily pared down FBI could be available to assist PD's in crimes that cross state lines.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[grumpyMSG]

You didn't differentiate between state local and national government's and which role you expect each to perform. If you want an outline, why not look at Virginia's Constitution as well as the U.S. Constitution.
Federally, you have not mentioned national defense, interstate commerce, a court system and international relations to name a few.

Many would say the Federal Gov't has no role in interstate commerce, I would argue that yes it does. Here is why, one of the various things that is covered by interstate commerce is the transportation system and transportation standards. Having had to deal with going from VA to NC a number of time years ago and seeing the stupidity of different standards between the states was ridiculous. One state would say 102 inch wide trailer was fine the other said the limit was 96 inches was the max width within the state. One would say a blanket overwidth/ overweight permit was acceptable when it was a commonly used standard piece of equipment, the other would require signage and strobe lights. Imagine now that each state set the standards for roads or railroad track widths. The origins of the commerce clause in the US Constitution goes back to conflicts between some states whose border was a river and who got to tax the ships using the river.

[ShotgunBlast]

I would happily use grumpy's example to justify a Federal DOT and not put it under the commerce clause since that thing gets abused all the time to justify regulations that shouldn't fall under its original wording.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[FiremanBob]

Dream on about your Constitution, you "everyday people". In today's America, what you expect from your government is irrelevant. All that matters is what your government expects from you. The sooner you submit, the less you will suffer.

(Signed)

Hilary

[dorminWS]

Want to know where things went off the track?

Government is SUPPOSED to do only those things which people CAN'T do for themselves.

But it has been expanded to do what a lot of sorry bastards WON'T do for themselves.

[FiremanBob]

Dorm, that's too broad, and is too open to interpretation. The "Progressives" have used that definition to classify a whole range of activities that "people can't do themselves" based on "discrimination" or "poverty" or "high investment" (such as NASA and billions of research grants given to universities) and other phony rationales.

The Federal government is supposed to perform certain specific functions outlined in the Constitution. State and local governments can do more things as authorized by their voters, provided that those actions do not conflict with the rights of individuals guaranteed by the Constitution.