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Mon 12 Dec, 2005 01:44 pm
We sometimes find opponents of highly centralized Governments using the somewhat pejorative term "Big Government". This of course is a debate that goes back in the U.S, literally, to the year "One". Alexander Hamilton, whose economic system we now live under, was in favor of a strong central government, whereas Tom Jefferson, Whose philosophical governmental model is that to which we aspire, saw this not much different than British Parliamentary actions which he described as a governmental system whereby one allows the government to "...put its hands into one's pockets."
Are we collectively better off following the "European Social Model" of entitlements (Social Security, Farm Subsidies, etc.) or aiming for limited government with its implied reliance on self sustainability and personal responsibility?
You need to address this question to the current republican congress.
Small government is better in most respects. A person should be free to live his life pretty much the way he wishes to, as long as he doesn't hurt someone else. The government should not invade his life, giving orders and making moral judgements, except to prevent him from harming others.
So like keeping it small and out of the lives of citizens, it is necessary to prevent gays from marriage.
where does small government end and big government begin?
Who should decide moral and decency issues?
who should say what should or should not be allowed on tv?
Who should determine if a person has the right to decide how they wish to die, or if the plug should be pulled when they can't do it themselves?
Who is to decide when or if abortion is legal?
These are the issues that are being controlled by our government. If they don't make the decisions, who will.
dyslexia wrote:So like keeping it small and out of the lives of citizens, it is necessary to prevent gays from marriage.
What does that have to do with the thread subject?
Our presnet big government has found ways around the Constitution to trample the rights of citizens. Big government has simply become a tool for the rich and powerful. One recent Supreme Court decision states that large businesses have the right to take over small businesses by "eminant domain".
NickFun wrote:Our presnet big government has found ways around the Constitution to trample the rights of citizens. Big government has simply become a tool for the rich and powerful. One recent Supreme Court decision states that large businesses have the right to take over small businesses by "eminant domain".
The liberal use of eminent domain to rob from the poor to make the rich richer is a great example of big government - usually big local government.