The following is commentary intended for discussion. Add your comments.
What do you think the federal government owes you? (Short list, please!)
Has your view changed over the years?
I remember thinking nothing of politics in college, and knowing even less. It was during the Reagan era and I remember people I knew talking about how terrible he was as a president.
All I know is that I had nothing, I probably qualified for welfare had I looked into it, but it never occurred to me that I was owed much of anything in tangible terms. And I thought my life was pretty good. Every day was a new opportunity for me to figure out a way to make the best of my life, to be self-sufficient, to plan for a future I could afford and enjoy.
This is not to say there aren’t plenty of legitimate viewpoints, of course, in line with “The federal government owes me…”
I would say today I feel as if the federal government owes me (but does not deliver on) the guarantee of collecting as little tax dollars as possible, and to use what it collects wisely and efficiently without corruption, waste or fraud.
I feel like the federal government owes me to monitor national security on my behalf and take reasonable, efficient steps to protect the nation.
I feel like the federal government owes me to stay out of my way when I try to accomplish things on my own, meaning not install bureaucratic roadblocks that make life harder rather than better. Also it should not interfere in the free flow of legal information by taking steps that lend themselves toward censorship or control.
And I feel like the federal government owes me to treat itself and its officials the same way ordinary Americans get treated, without favor. In other words, if an FBI attorney breaks a certain law, his penalty should be as harsh as what you or I would get if we committed the crime.
I could probably think of more. What do you think?
I believe the government is responsible for national defense and providing interstate infra structure, beyond that it owes me very little and should stop asking me to pay for much else. Leave the rest to states and local govts as well as private enterprise.
I agree that you nailed it for me too! Thank you Sharyl. I don’t miss your show.
Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
And a little honesty wouldn’t hurt.
Secure borders, freedom of speech, right to bear arms, wisely spent tax dollars, social security because we paid for it. Social security and medicare money should not have been spent in Iraq.
Tldr
Safety and roads. That’s it.
National Security, governance over the states in interstate matters and to ensure they comply with the Constitution, enforcement of the constitution,
My Government owes me just what is spelled out in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. They owe me Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness- far too many people think the Government owes them happiness, that’s not correct. You’re allowed to pursue your own happiness as long as it doesn’t infringe on you fellow citizens rights.
Government owes us all secure borders, legal immigration, the right to vote in person with ID and all the necessary election protections to ensure valid voting.
Government owes us a proper judicial system where all are innocent until proven guilty, not the other way around.
The problem in our government is the sense of POWER people get when they’re elected. Carpetbagger Hillary Clinton is a perfect example of this, moving to NY to get elected into an empty seat left by Moynihan. William Henry Harrison was our 9th President, served only 1 month then died of pneumonia, stated correctly- “Power is insinuating. Few men are satisfied with less power than they are able to procure. No lover is ever satified with the first smile of his mistress.” Perfect for DC today!
People should not fear their government, government should fear We The People!
Liberty and laissez-faire!
So what does the government owe me, or any of us ??? — Simply this — as their oaths clearly state “protect and defend the constitution ” So they owe all of us to just abide by the constitution — no more and no less….. and when they follow it as intended, then they will automatically limit the federal power and increase individual rights and freedom is protected
The Constitution was written/established to give us a national alliance so that we could be united in a “common cause.” Together with the historical example of the disfunction of the European States always at war, etc, and the more recent benefit of banding together for the revolution — it was clear that a national government be instituted. Yet the history of monarchies and centralized power also terrified the Founding Fathers who were rightly worried about overtaking states power and eventually the individual’s natural rights that were outlined in many states bill of rights. . ‘
So we forget that while the Constitution was created to ‘establish’ a national government, it was also written to “protect” the states and the people FROM a federal government. The Bill of Rights was almost not included as the first 10 amendments – but those that were against the Constitution early on insisted it be included (Patrick Henry) — our rights — were established to protect the citizens “FROM” the government. So the Constitution purposely limits and reigns in the national government and gives much more autonomy to the states — (btw when we passed the 17th amendment the state governments lost their “check” on the federal growth and power)
The government cannot give you anything that it doesn’t take from someone else. So the government has to take by force that which it gives to others. positive rights cannot be rights because in order to guarantee positive rights you have to guarantee the means to provide that right….. and that you just cannot agree to provide if you have no guaranteed means to do so
In the end we get the government we deserve and ultimately this is all the fault of our citizens. As citizens of the greatest human experiment in freedom, you have an obligation to educate yourself on your civic situation – your constitution, your government, your state government, and local government. Our past prosperity has enabled us to become uneducated, lazy, selfish, greedy and delusional. And now we are not equipped to govern ourselves. Politicians lie to us because that is what we want to hear — they lie and we know they lie or they cannot ( and should not) provide what they say they will provide and we vote anyway because it feels good. we vote for what makes us feel good and not what is logical or real. We elect all these politicians, do you really believe that if you got rid of all the politicians today — that their replacements would be any better ?? C’mon man ! be real — they say and do the things that the majority want them to do.
Can you imagine the politician who runs and says “vote for me and i will do nothing for you but follow the constitution and limit the federal government ” ?? no one would vote for him. Rand Paul has no traction. Can you imagine at a town hall someone getting up and asking the following “i dropped out of school, had a drug problem, have 5 babies — what are you going to do for me ” and the candidate responding ” i don’t want to be your father i want to be your president ” ?? no votes for that guy. do you realize that we cannot get a majority of politicians to enforce the laws on the books — or change the laws ?? either one is good for me, but enforce the laws or change/ eliminate the laws — but we have governmental bodies, law enforcement, judges, presidents, whatever all refusing to enforce the laws. and we allow that to continue.
No sir, it is not the politicians — it is us the people who are losing our Republic — thank you Dr. Franklin for 200 years — we will destroy it now
“provide for the common defense”; law enforcement and equal protection under the law (to secure my natural rights); in light of the massive amounts of money it takes, I would add hard infrastructure, including clean water and power access; and to GET OUT OF MY WAY and leave me the hell alone.
What does the government owe me? They owe it to me to get the hell out of my way so I can achieve the American dream, protect my family, and provide for my community. The government owes me the trust and confidence that I will do the right thing for my God, my country/community, and my family.
The government owes me Life, Liberty and the unencumbered pursuit of happiness in whatever form that comes in (unless illegal). It also owes every American a national defense, rightfully though, defense should come from the states/people. Aside from national trade, the government owes me nothing else- and I owe it nothing else.
I have always believed “Less government is better government”. I still do more than ever!
The Gooferment should be the “nightwatchman”. A minimal influence on the lives of “We, The People” as an unbiased referee when appropriate. Specifically, it must stop stealing the People’s money via debt, deficit, inflation, and endless war. IMHO!
The government must rescind JFK/s EO granting government employees the right to unionize.
Government employees must be neutral, non-partisan civil servants; not as we have learned today – they have become our uncivil masters.
Prohibit all political activity – public and private. Yes, you give up some rights for the privilege and honor of being a civil servant. There can be no other way. And yes, pay them well but hold out rewards until proof they served their public tenure with honesty, neutrality and integrity.
The federal government needs to:
…………, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity……………
1. Establish Justice
a.
b
c.
2. Insure Domestic tranquility
a.
b.
c.
3. Provide for the common defense
a.
b.
c.
4. Promote the general Welfare
a.
b.
c,
5. Secure the Blessings of Liberty
a.
b
c,
NO WHERE DOES IT SAY WE SHOULD UNIONIZE GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
.
What the government owes me is that it unequivocally follows the Constitution of the United States.
No more, no less!
Those politicians who swear on the Bible to protect the Constitution and next minute tear it to pieces should be forced to resign from their office.
Honestly, the government owes me nothing. I should be able to attain whatever I need in life without the aid of a government.
Thank you, Sharyl, for your honesty and courage. It is very refreshing to see those in a journalist during these modern times when most journalists simply rush to share their opinions with the world and call them facts.
I feel like the federal government owes me honesty and it never feels like I get that from them.
On a personal note: Thank you Ms. Attkisson for your honesty, and your work to give us the information we need to be the best we can be.
In response to your question I would say every American is simply owed the truth from everyone in government. It with great sadness I say that instead we are often fed, daily, disingenuous lies by those who now believe themselves no longer the servants of the people, but rather their masters.
The federal government owes me protection of all the rights listed in the constitution.