Follow up - What is the single purpose of government...

Posted by edweaver 10 years, 8 months ago to Politics
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The single word for the purpose of government turned into a fun discussion with many ideas and good thoughts. Thanks to all who participated. I decided to re-post in hopes that it would make it easier for all to see where I was going. It is my hope that I am not breaking a gulch rule.

I believe you can apply the word “control” to everything that government deals with at every level of government known to man. Government is not necessary to make things move because that will happen without force. I’m not advocating for more control and IMHO we have been run over with control. I’m just saying that there is no need for government except for the purpose of control.

That being said, I believe this country became so incredibly prosperous because our founder limited our governments control over the people. Unfortunately since our founding, government does what it is naturally inclined to do. It grows and consumes power.

Would love to hear more thoughts & comments


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  • Posted by dougblack 10 years, 8 months ago
    Without a stable government providing "protection" for its citizens nothing else is possible. Just look at the current events in Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan to name a few.
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  • Posted by $ allosaur 10 years, 8 months ago in reply to this comment.
    And lo it verily came to pass that ein enforcers of Nazi Germany patteth a certain preacher of the Word on his little pumpkin head and doth giveth him a pass and thus persecuteth him no more.
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  • Posted by teri-amborn 10 years, 8 months ago
    Perhaps the word ORDER would be a better choice rather than CONTROL.
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  • Posted by teri-amborn 10 years, 8 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I can see why so many consider Christian to be equal to Platonic.
    Taken out of context your Bible quotes are right out of Plato's Republic.
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  • Posted by malonejr 10 years, 8 months ago
    Responsibility:
    I enjoy certain privileges of western civilization, or the many are: an uncorrupt police force, modern fire prevention, and a transparent method of management. These are things, that if I had to perform them, would be performed in a method to provide the best available product for trade or exchange....this is one reason we have 'government'...to administrate these services for us in exchange for a fee called a tax.
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  • Posted by woodlema 10 years, 8 months ago in reply to this comment.
    In the context of this scripture please remember you are subject to the "governing, or superior" authorities, however, the word used does not supersede God's laws, therefore, when Government's laws violate God's laws you are under obligation to Obey God as ruler rather than men. Written by the same person. Paul.
    Basic English
    AC 5:27 When they had brought them, they set them before the council. The high priest questioned them,
    AC 5:28 saying, "Didn`t we strictly charge you not to teach in this name? Behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to bring this man`s blood on us."
    AC 5:29 But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men.
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  • Posted by woodlema 10 years, 8 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I voted for the word "Order". While some "control" is required to maintain order, please remember the question was , "What is the purpose...", not how is Government used. Purpose is very different.
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  • Posted by lolaroja 10 years, 8 months ago
    folks, you are straying far from the goal of these posts: we were asked for a single word for the purpose of government... what part of single word don't people get?
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  • Posted by 10 years, 8 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Unfortunately the minute a government is established so is the right to control. IMHO that is the sole reason governments never last more than a few hundred years without major turmoil. See what's coming??
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  • Posted by 10 years, 8 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I'm not sure I understand this message. Maybe you can put it in layman's terms for me??
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  • Posted by Zenphamy 10 years, 8 months ago in reply to this comment.
    ed; But that's the problem with government. Once you give the government permission to control others, they will then come up with excuses to control you in the name of prevention of some safety or danger, but nonetheless intended to control you.

    When the individual gives up the right to defend and prevent, it's all over. Rather, the government's only role is to retaliate when rights have been violated such that the individual can't adequately stop the violation or in attacks against the country.
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  • Posted by flanap 10 years, 8 months ago
    Looking for more thoughts and comments? Here goes....

    From the Word of God...Romans 13:1–7 (New American Standard Bible 1995)

    Be Subject to Government
    1 Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.
    2 Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.
    3 For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same;
    4 for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.
    5 Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake.
    6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing.
    7 Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.

    The only authorization for a person not to do as government says is when it directly, by law, or fiat, or other forceful means, requires behavior directly in contradiction to that which God requires in His Word.
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  • Posted by 10 years, 8 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Control in government is not a negative nor a problem until government oversteps. If government only used control to protect individual rights which includes the right to all property there would be no problem with control. We are a long was from that control in America. It is no wonder we are going to pieces.
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  • Posted by 10 years, 8 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I agree, I don't want to be controlled. That is why I am not even close to satisfied with our current government. My analogy is that in order to protect my individual liberties I give my government permission to control others who would if given the opportunity, take away my liberty. Unfortunately when government control becomes abusive so goes our liberty.
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  • Posted by Bobhummel 10 years, 8 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Concur RR. I have the desire to look for the original intention of the founding of this nation. The individual as the sovereign. The sole purpose of the government was to protect the rights of the citizen.
    In today's government it is all about control. Sad but true.
    Cheers
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  • Posted by $ jbrenner 10 years, 8 months ago
    I thought you would say control, but government's proper responsibility is to defend the individual liberties of its citizens. No one will ever CONTROL me.
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  • Posted by Solver 10 years, 8 months ago
    "Control" - yep, that was my guess. Although I voted for "Supercalifragilisticexpealidoceous" because it is also something that makes little sense.
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  • Posted by richrobinson 10 years, 8 months ago
    "Breaking a Gulch rule". We have rules? I tried hard to come up with one word Ed but I kept trying to think of something positive. Control fits and I wish it didn't.
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