Serious question for each of you

[colonelbuckrobely]

and I hope you will take the time to respond. Can you think of one thing our federal government can or has done better than the private sector can or has done? I really want to know. That includes our military. I know that some things are a must at the federal level like the military but I believe our federal government and partisan politics usually muck things up, including the military. Politicians could screw up a one car funeral. I really want to know. What does or has our government excelled at?

By the way, I have the utmost respect for our military professionals and no respect for politicians. As H.L. Mencken put it many years ago, "A good one (politician) is as unthinkable as an honest burglar".

[hasset]

I think the private sector can do anything better because there is the element of competition added. Competition keeps prices and quality at their best and does not keep new people from jumping into the effort and finding better ideas. The only problem is that the government has the authority over us that the private sector does not. Authority screws things up but is necessary.

There always has to be someplace for authority since some people are not honest and there will always need to be some kind of authority to keep the peace. We go from obeying parents, teachers, etc., and I think it would be hard to have a private sector enforcing agency unless the government gave it some authority. No matter what I say, I always go back to how dishonesty and cronyism always creeps back in when you give someone authority. I think we are stuck with some of our problems because of the nature of people.

When we vote, we can get rid of dishonest congressmen but since so many people are dishonest and self centered, the bad ones will keep on winning if they bring money to their home districts. I think it is a viscous circle.

Your question is hard to answer so I will just say that the private sector is always better because we do not have to buy anything from them or to obey them.

The only thing I can think of that is great about our government is that in the early days of our country some very smart men wrote a decent constitution. Not many people are smart enough to write such a thing, especially a constitution that will last forever under different times and was designed to protect individual citizens. Those early people had a good knowledge of human nature and they also must have had good knowledge of the past in order to write such a thing. If our constitution were being followed today, we wouldn't be discussing some of our major problems on this blog.

Too many of the people in our government are dishonest, self centered and they do not follow the law -----BUT they are the ones with the authority. If we could get people to be informed and vote after being informed, a lot of our problems would be gone. But the nature of people is to be lazy, selfish, dishonest, etc. so no matter who is in charge, be it private or government, the problems will always be there.

Like I said, I keep going around in a circle. You asked a very difficult question and I hope others will write something too. My brain is very tired of thinking of this one.

[nobama]

Good question Buck,,, my response would be,,, any time you argue with some libtard on-line or face-to-face,,,ask them,"what good has Obama done?",,and you know the answer to that one. "Give him time." I have no idea what the government has done or could do better than the private sector. And,,, I was just thinking,,I am going to think about this,,,,NOT,,why even try,,24 hours from now,,it'd still be the same answer,,,NOTHING.

Think about Sarah Palins actions and what she has said in her resignation speech. "Why waste my time or the people of Alaskas time sitting as a lame-duck governor where nothing will get done,,I can do more out of office." Her actions will become more and more clear each passing day. And as for federal,,,the same can be said of state and local governments,,,you want something screwed up,,let them get involved. And if you think the feds don't listen to what we are saying,,try talking to a local councilman or mayor or some of the reps in our state offices.

[dtothelux]

Buck, I think there are a few basic things that the Federal govt. needs to provide as an umbrella. But ours has gone way beyond that basic umbrella and is usurping state's rights at an alarming rate. Just sit back and watch the outcome of a government run health care program.

I agree with something from each of you who have posted on this topic. Private is almost always more competent. Sure, there are a few exceptions like Madoff and Hecker, but in general the bad seeds are weeded out. That DOES not happen often in government. The shysters just keep getting elected. They really enjoy playing with monopoly money.

Love the quote by Mencken although I have the distinct feeling that Sarah and Jindal are the exceptions.

[mndapa1]

The only thing I can think of that they do better...................................is waste money.

Government was not and is not desgined to function as an economy booster or stabilizer. Its primary purpose is to provide a common defense, settle disputes amongst in constituients, and provide for a common law. Thats it folks. The rest is the imaginations of liberals growing government into the monster it has become.

If we cut out just 50% of the wasteful spending....just think of the surplus and how well our military would be equipped.

[piperdown]

1)They are good at making piles of regulations, and costing a load of money for little return.

2)they are great at raising my blood pressure, or as on talk show guy says - making blood shoot out my eyes.

3) they "saved" our banking system - got ya.

4)common defense. after a sort.

[hasset]

Now how come you can say what the rest of us wanted to say only you can do it so simply?