What are governments supposed to do?

You need to go back and read what the Founding Fathers of our country said over 200 years ago. Read Franklin, Jefferson, Adams, Hamilton etc. etc. etc.

These guys knew that they were making history while they were designing was still remains the greatest experiment in self government in the history of the world. Born in compromise, the U.S. Constitution is still humanity's greatest moment.

In my opinion, the only flaw is what my old Economics professor used to call the "Dictatorship of the Minority." Simply put, in our Republic, it is cost effective for minority groups, such as steel companies and steel unions, to form coalitions to raise money to make political contributions, aka bribes, to achieve a political benefit, such as high steel tariffs, that benefits themselves, but harms the rest of us.

Unfortunately for the majority, it is not worth it for us to band together to fight these special interest groups. A high steel tariff, for example, might cost me $500 more when I buy a car. But even if I know about this hidden charge, it is not worth it for me to fight it.

In theory, the various economic minority groups should balance each other. In practice, it is one big inside the beltway circle jerk. For example, subsitute just about any industry for steel in the above example, such as sugar or farming or whatever, and the story stays the same. The politicians and lobbyists get rich, and you and I are another day deeper in debt.

The solution is be to ban ALL political contributions, but for obvious reasons that ain't never gonna happen.

Outside of this flaw, however, the United States still represents the high water mark. Let's just hope that the tide keeps rising.

Dale

 

To create security for the governed, unfortunately governments have convinced themselves they can do anything and everything.

The type of egos required to run for higher office, combine with the low pay results in lousy choices usually. I'm waiting for Trump to run for NYC Mayor, he's a blow hard w/ cash, he'd be the perfect politician.

I believe most think they can make a difference, eventually they learn the only positive outcome of politics is to line their own pockets. So while you see the corruption as the goal, I see it as a consequence.

 

I am not so sure that those are enough "qualities" to make him, or anyone, the perfect politician.

 

every one is there own perfect politician arnt they?

 

...right down to any given Californian HOA.