Is The Government For The Good Of The People?

A government is the system or group of people that makes and enforces rules, manages a country or community.

Throughout most of recorded human history, there always have been some form of governance.
In the modern day, governments have become larger than ever before, affecting virtually every aspects in our daily lives.

The big question is, is the government for the good of the people? Or is it for the interest of itself?

Quotes from politicians:

• "We will prove that there is no problem too large for government to solve, and no concern too small for it to care about." __ Zohran Mamdani | Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/nov/05/zohran-mamdani-victory-speech-transcript
• "If we can but prevent the government from wasting the labours of the people, under the pretence of taking care of them, they must become happy." __ Thomas Jefferson | Source: https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/01-39-02-0070

Supporters of big governments: These people tend to believe that a bigger government is the answer to resolving many social issues. They believe that by creating more laws is necessary to keep things under control.

Critics of big governments: These people view governments as corrupt and inefficient at what they do. Often citing the enormous waste of tax payers' money and rarely getting things done in a timely manner as promised. They often argue that the current government is too intrusive and is getting its tentacles wrapped around every aspects of our lives.

Questions to ponder:

• What is the role of government? (Federal, State, Local)
• Do you trust the government?
• Do you view the government as a caretaker of society?
• Do you trust more in the free market or the central government?
• To what extent do governments (Federal, State, Local) make your life better?
• How do you view private sectors versus the government on taking care of societal issues?
• Is our government efficient at what it does?
• Is an efficient government a good government?
• How should liberty and security be balanced? (Trade offs?)
• Are you a supporter of big government? (Why or why not?)
• Are you a supporter of small government? (Why or why not?)
• What are some things that governments must intervene with?
• What are some aspects that governments should stay out of?
• Was there a time that the U.S. government was more efficient?
• When was a time that the American people trusted their government? (What was the context?)
• What makes a government trustworthy?
• How do you see your state and local governments comparing to other cities and states?
• Who truly owns a country? The government or the people?
• How are governments around the world viewed by their people?
• In what ways are government structures around the world similar & different?

Come and join tonight's meeting and share your thoughts on the government and its functions!

Guidelines:

• Hand raises are required.
• There will be a 3 minute timer for every person. However, in this group, I do allow a brief back and fourth interjection from others if it's something that's related to the person who was just speaking. This is a way to prevent the group from feeling too "robotic" in style and get your pressing question asked to the speaker and get the answer right away without waiting all the way back to your turn again.
• Be authentic & civil!
• Please refrain from using Ad Hominem (personal) attacks. This includes in voice, in meeting chat, and in the comments section below. Instead, please attack the points from others. Severe Ad Hominem such as racist behavior will result in being removed from the meeting.
• Zoom link is posted well before the day of the meeting but you will not be able to join until 10 minutes before the meeting start time.