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Originally Posted by Phage
When it really comes down to it, a government really should have only one purpose: to protect and serve the needs of the citizens it contains. It makes sense that the citizens should be loyal to their country because it is in turn looking out for them.
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I agree with this. John Locke said that the government should just ensure that our rights to property (including life, labour and profits) and no more, and I agree with him on this. Paying taxes and such to help benefit one's country is definitely a good thing, and I don't question that at all.
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Originally Posted by Phage
One country does not look out for the wellbeing of the citizens in another country (unless you count huge humanitarian contributors like the US), their only goal is their own.
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This is the problem that I've begun to see dissapate. As a world we have begun to take things into a more global perspective. Countries are beginning to support eachother more regarding global issues. Sure, Canada will have little to do with an election in Holland for example, but that is because Holland knows best about regional issues. I am not trying to say that nations should cease, but that the idea that we are seperate entities from those outside of our national borders should. With our greater levels of technology and education, individuals and communities are beginning to think on a grander scale, thinking of how to benefit not just themselves, but also other countries as well.
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Originally Posted by Phage
Until everyone thinks of themselves on the same side nationalism is required...
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Why must we all think of eachother on "the same side" before we can join as a world collective? In each country there are people with radically different ideals from our own, and yet we manage to live relatively peacefully. I am as far from Stephen Harper as I can imagine (I think the man may be a little evil
) but he and I are still fellow Canadians. Even here on the forums there are people who strongly disagree, but we are still peaceful TFPers.
What you say next, in my humble opinion, is a bit radical.
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Originally Posted by Phage
...and unfortunately there are quite a number of people out there who would like nothing better than to rape your wife, enslave your children, and steal all of your wealth. Preventing that is one of the major purposes of your government, and you ignore that at your own peril.
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Perhaps it is the nationalism that causes us to so passionately believe that everyone out of our borders wants to kill and rape and plunder. There is no doubt in my mind that there aren't people in every country right now who wish to do this very thing, but is that not more reason to join together to find a common solution?
I am not suggesting that we are in the process of abandoning our countries. I am suggesting that we are in the process of creating something greater that will assist in our understanding and peace regarding our worldly neighbours.
(Sidenote: Moxy Fruvous's "The Gulf War Song" came on as I was typing this. Thought it was kind of funny.
http://www.fruvous.com/barglyr.html#gulf)