Does the power of our Federal government scare you?

[The Straight Story]

Do you want less size in government, more size, less power, more power? If you want more do you trust the government with more? If you want less, do you think less will benefit the fewer more so then the greater population?

Given what I have seen here on DU, and elsewhere, I am for smaller government and less power to them. Why?

1. Well, many seem to think of most americans as either idiots or sheep - an since the government employs a lot of people we are putting people into power from a majority of 'dolts' (if you will).

2. The power we give now can be used later by others we may not like. Even with the best of intentions, focusing power now that does good now can come back to haunt us later.

3. Trust - Putting trust into the hands of a few, which is then farmed out to the many, makes me nervous. From * to dlc to military to pnac and corporations. I am not sure I always see the difference between large corporations and large government.

Disclaimer - Large does not mean bad to me, but large + more power does over time, to me, look bad.

Maybe I am way off base or just plain wrong, but it is how I feel at this moment in time. More local power backed up by larger power to enforce basic rights so that local does not go over the line.

[CrispyQ]

1. Yes it scares me.

Much of our govt's current size is to 'regulate' business. Of course, the regulations have been mostly defined by the very industries that are being regulated & there is purpose to that. If business gets govt to regulate the amount of a toxic substance in water - & remember, that amount is what the business recommends to the govt - then the business is no longer liable when that toxin harms human beings because they are within the regulation.

And of course there is more & more 'regulation' of human behavior, too.

More & more rights & protections of corporations (artificial beings) & less & less rights & protections of humans (natural beings).

What boggles the mind is how people continue to think that the repubs are the party of smaller govt. :wtf:

It's all very bad & very scary & seems to be out of control to the point of no return.

[stillcool]

2. more and more every day...

and the more I read the worse it gets. And I also think that local governments, by necessity will strengthen...when there is nothing left of the federal government to loot.

[katsy]

3. I've lost faith in politicians...

but feel that the size of government (not including elected representatives) must be sufficient to perform the task given it by the people in an efficient manner.

For instance, in times of great corporate/wall st corruption, we may need to increase federal employees to handle investigations. In times of great poverty... which are probably around the corner, we may need to increase social services. I never have been able to comprehend the amount of $ poured into the bowels of the military/industrial complex and wish that people would start demanding an accounting of their tax monies.

Less federal government would preserve states rights... but I wouldn't want that if the trade-off meant inadequate enforcement of civil rights laws, the dismantling of consumer or environmental protections.

I'm not sure it's the size of government that's the problem, more likley it's who is spending our money and on what. The biggest problem may be as you stated... corporate influence. And less government (fewer regulations) is their favorite breeding ground.

I want an efficient review by government of corporate behavior so I guess that puts me in the pro-big government corner.

[mcscajun]

4. Some of it *does* scare me, but right now, it's who is Wielding it

that scares me the most.

:scared: :scared: :scared:

[The2ndWheel]

5. It's only going to get bigger

Like everything else, it starts small. Then it must expand, because it becomes a center of power, and that's the nature of power.

I'm not much for centralized civilization though. But that's a different topic in a way.

"I am for smaller government and less power to them."

"More local power backed up by larger power to enforce basic rights so that local does not go over the line."

I'm not sure that adds up. You want small government, but with an umbrella shielding it? What if the umbrella closes? Who enforces bacis rights if the larger power goes over the line?

[merh]

6. It terrifies me!

:scared: :cry:

[bribri16]

7. NO. The power of the cabal in office scares the shit out me, though.

It's not the "government" it's people controlling it!

[Ron Green]

8. What scares me is the selling of the public realm...

to the large-money interests, masquerading as the People. The successful redefinition of Americans as "consumers" rather than "citizens" is almost accomplished.

[Maddy McCall]

9. Exactly the argument our founders had...

between the Federalists and the anti-Federalists.

The debate continued throughout American history, most recently in the mid-20th century...States Righters hated the power of the federal government because it meant that little Johnny and little Suzy would have to go to school with black children.

It's an age-old debate.

[wli]

10. the power is always there so long as there is a military

The real problem is the nature of it and its rulers.

The exercise of power should be limited to humanitarian ends, purely defense against foreign military incursions, and upholding military alliances (e.g. participation in UN peacekeeping missions).

[soothsayer]

11. Yup. Luckily they're bunglers and incompetents.