As prelude, you're a fantastic writer. I'm especially fond of the Star Harbor Nights.
First, I don't think I'm smart enough to figure out the healthcare mess... I agree it's a mess, and I've lived on both sides of the poverty line.
What makes me sad is your assertion that government is us. I'm sad because I wish it were true. It was supposed to be true. But it's not true. Whether because government is now done mostly on the national level, or for some other reason, our government is a democracy, which means that it represents the majority. Not all people equally, but the majority.
Which means I've never had a government that represents me, no matter which side they hail from. Here's a quick example, drawn from common issues: One side wants to fight wars I don't agree with, and refuse homosexuals the ability to define their relationships as marriage. (To which I say, Why? They didn't ask to do it in your church.) But as a dad of three kids who saw a lot of sonograms (due to medical issues) along the way, I can't help but believe that in-utero babies are real people who should have the rights of people... and the other side weighs the rights of the mother at 100% against the right of the unborn child.
"We" are the government, as long as you're part of some majority. If you're not, you might be able to understand why it's sometimes tempting to want government to get the heck out.
a republic...
First, I don't think I'm smart enough to figure out the healthcare mess... I agree it's a mess, and I've lived on both sides of the poverty line.
What makes me sad is your assertion that government is us. I'm sad because I wish it were true. It was supposed to be true. But it's not true. Whether because government is now done mostly on the national level, or for some other reason, our government is a democracy, which means that it represents the majority. Not all people equally, but the majority.
Which means I've never had a government that represents me, no matter which side they hail from. Here's a quick example, drawn from common issues:
One side wants to fight wars I don't agree with, and refuse homosexuals the ability to define their relationships as marriage. (To which I say, Why? They didn't ask to do it in your church.) But as a dad of three kids who saw a lot of sonograms (due to medical issues) along the way, I can't help but believe that in-utero babies are real people who should have the rights of people... and the other side weighs the rights of the mother at 100% against the right of the unborn child.
"We" are the government, as long as you're part of some majority. If you're not, you might be able to understand why it's sometimes tempting to want government to get the heck out.