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Baraka_Guru · 03-16-2009, 12:09 PM

I think governments should do what it can to provide for the general welfare of its citizens. There were many items listed here, and I think my own opinion is quite in line with Martian's.

In most industrialized nations, the general welfare of society only recently included the advent of universal healthcare. Before that, it saw such things as the protection of rights, not merely on the individual level, but on the level of workers and consumers. The actions of faceless corporate entities have made it necessary to ensure the well-being of both these groups. All these things are ongoing in their refinement.

That said, governments should also be responsible to regulating corporations to ensure they are in line with the parameters set by society, whether it be fair work practices or abiding by market rules.

To me, these things aren't so much a moral issue as it is an issue of function. A healthy, well-protected populace is one that can thrive—this, regardless of level of wealth. The poor should not be let to die of or become infirm from sickness, as it can easily have adverse effects on the nation as a whole.

As for what a government should not do: They should not go against the will of the public. If certain members of government were elected based on a particular platform, then that member should do their best to fulfill that set of goals. Given that the system of government is balanced and fair, all protocol should be followed and carried out to its full extent. An example of what I'm referring to includes Canada's own concept of the vote of confidence, which sets the stage for a possible closure of the current government if the governing party cannot gain enough support from the other members of parliament. This means a deviation too far from what might be expected can lead to a failure, removal, and replacement of political power in a matter of days.

03-16-2009, 12:09 PM	#32 (permalink)
Baraka_Guru warrior bodhisattva Super Moderator Location: East-central Canada	I think governments should do what it can to provide for the general welfare of its citizens. There were many items listed here, and I think my own opinion is quite in line with Martian's. In most industrialized nations, the general welfare of society only recently included the advent of universal healthcare. Before that, it saw such things as the protection of rights, not merely on the individual level, but on the level of workers and consumers. The actions of faceless corporate entities have made it necessary to ensure the well-being of both these groups. All these things are ongoing in their refinement. That said, governments should also be responsible to regulating corporations to ensure they are in line with the parameters set by society, whether it be fair work practices or abiding by market rules. To me, these things aren't so much a moral issue as it is an issue of function. A healthy, well-protected populace is one that can thrive—this, regardless of level of wealth. The poor should not be let to die of or become infirm from sickness, as it can easily have adverse effects on the nation as a whole. As for what a government should not do: They should not go against the will of the public. If certain members of government were elected based on a particular platform, then that member should do their best to fulfill that set of goals. Given that the system of government is balanced and fair, all protocol should be followed and carried out to its full extent. An example of what I'm referring to includes Canada's own concept of the vote of confidence, which sets the stage for a possible closure of the current government if the governing party cannot gain enough support from the other members of parliament. This means a deviation too far from what might be expected can lead to a failure, removal, and replacement of political power in a matter of days. __________________ Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing? —Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön Humankind cannot bear very much reality. —From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot Last edited by Baraka_Guru; 03-16-2009 at 12:13 PM..