How did we start serving the  government instead Of the government serving us?
539849
Serve America and the principles of democracy and your own core belief system...be an American first, a member of a political party second...George Washington didn't even care for political parties at all as history records...
1003951
I dont depend on the Government for anything and havent for quite sometime. Even if you look back through history, Governments have been the cause of war, destruction and famon. PEOPLE solve the problems.\n\n-J.
148949
If the government fails to do the job of protecting the body politic then according to Jefferson we have the right and the responsibility to do something about it.\n\nWe are Americans, one of THE halmarks of Americans is that we are self-relient, we don't depend on government.  It is no different than a neighborhood watch looking out for your neighbors, when they spot criminals they call the police.
23692
This is my favorite type of question, so I'll answer with another question.  Why do we send billions overseas to help other countries when we have so many problems at home?  The real answer to this and many other questions like it is that we as a society let "our" elected officals make choices for us, that's why we are a Republic.  I wish we could have some kind of utopian country where we're a true democracy and the people voted on a budget that is proposed to them by their elected officals.  However it could never happen, we can even agree on Coke or Pepsi.
18098
I think service to the government in some form should be compulsary for all young people although it should not be military except where required. It should be in some form or manner of service (e.g. writing software if you are an IT person, or doing something that is contributing to the welfare of the country).
1102676
Taxes dont work like that..a government/public service is not a choice which benefits just yourself, it benefits the community. You cant say ' i dont want to pay such and such' because someday, you will us that service, and whing when you have to pay! Its a duty we all have to pay , wether we like it or not
773466
I guess you never heard of "love your country, not your government?"\n\nGovernment is a necessary evil, and as far as I am concerned, any 'love' for government is misguided. US citizens, I would hope, should not be blindly supporting our government without understanding the policies set in place by government. It's what I would characterize as a responsibility of US citizens. \n\nI love my country not because of government, but because we can question the policies set by government without fear of jail or death. It's a nice position to be in. Our Constitution limits our government from interfering with these freedoms.\n\nSo, no love for government, only love for country.
189761
no!!!!what ever happened to personal responsibility.we rely on the government for too much.\nif they took less of our money we would have an easier time taking care of ourselves.\none more thing.why is it that the people that contribute the least get the most.
175422
In a few cases that may be true but the way our country is now being run has a lot of peop;le upset and I for 1 do't bnlame them one bit It's time for the people of this country to start doing some serious house cleanig in washington D.C. and in their state and local govements. Its supposed to be ga governmemt of for and by the people. not government for by and of politacians and Fat cats
367782
the government is supposed to be the channel to the people from their own country to represent their (the people) voices. and the government is supposesdly to guide the people, to unite them, to serve the people to bring out peace in the world.\n\nbut the government system has been deteriorated nowadays, and like you said, it has helped the rich to be more richer and somehow it tends to lose focus on the objectives of the government system itself. and the poorer gets oppressed now and then.\n\nno government is right in this world. we just have to deal with it and live our life by our own rules at the end of the day.
1033519
No, our job is not done. How can you start helping a country then back out when you're in the middle of doing so? Only a sissy ass liberal would do a thing like that. GOD BLESS USA & GW!
505624
Oh man. You just questioned the United States government. You are not ordinary.
570719
I know of a story that is not so unlike yours.\n\nYou are so totally right. The United States government is not all that it says it is.
739908
Well you could start by serving your country, that is aim for what the people want and putting your own personal wants aside. For example if the population wants the soldiers in Iraq out of their, then get them out, even if you feel they should stay. Also, do something great, like free up debt in a poor country, so they can feed their children. But you have to make sure the money goes to the poor people though and not to a corrupt dictator.
901467
WOW!  A lot of questions!\n\nIdeally, government agencies should do what is best for the people they govern.  I'm not sure what country you are in, but why should we pay for government services?  Don't all citizens of almost all countries already "pay" for government services through taxes?\n\nAnd when was the last time you saw a group of people without a government?  It won't work.  Humans need leadership of some sort.  All groups of people from the beginning of time have had government of some form.  Even tribes in Africa still have "Chiefs" as do the Native American tribes in America.  Someone or group must govern a group of people.  Unfortunately, we are "sheep" and need leadership.
504711
It started with the whole idea of "I'm not responsible" being taught by parents who wanted to be their child's friend or nothing being taught about responsibility at all.  (So then the govt tried to step in, but isn't supposed to.)(&I do NOT mean that families have broken down, a single parent is just as capable of teaching responsibility as 2).\n\nThen we have a bunch of politicians (on both sides) who are only in it for themselves who have found that by pitting people against each other, it's easier to win elections and stay in power.\n\nAdd to that a citizenry who are basically lazier civicly that we have ever been before and we stop questioning politicians, we just start spewing out rhetoric cuz it's easier than looking up the issues ourselves.\nMix it all together and you have a country where there is NO exchange or tolerance of ideas, close minded, lazy people who are convinced nothing is their fault and you get what has happened to America. \n(at least that's what I see).
445276
Our government is a Republic, which in the U.S. is a representative Democracy.  We elect our Congressional delegates, our representatives, to pass laws by which we will govern ourselves.