Federal Government Shutdown

[Raeven]

Government is a corporation... one that often collects enormous amounts of money in 'taxes'.

Big problem with your assertion. Corporations are for profit. Governments are not. Or they ought not be. If they are, then the populace of that government is doing something wrong -- like not paying attention. It is true we have significantly ceded control of our government over to corporate interests, which is why we have the PPACA instead of single payer... but that needn't remain the case. And that still doesn't make our government a corporation, however charming it may be to say so.

It is not some supernatural force that simply accomplishes things better than any other force

You'll have to show me where I said government was some supernatural force. I don't believe that; I think you know it, and you putting words in my mouth is the refuge of one who doesn't have a sound argument.

I will use roads as an example of the failings of government regarding such.

http://www.burntorangereport.com/diary/1...ng-repairs

Privatized roads are a business that must maintain their -specific roads- to turn the most effective profit. Not that they necessarily will recognize this, what with everything in every system being fallible

One of the biggest problems with our government today is the extent to which services are being privatized. Why did we let this happen? Your statement demonstrates exactly why corporations ought NOT be in charge of many things, and why properly regulated government ought to be, instead.

Food stamps existing strongly decreases donation factors, this is what would likely occur if food stamps were suddenly and wholly removed (and it's a cycle):

<Food riots>
<Media headlines>
<Massive donations to food charities>
<Ruckus dies down as people have food>
<People start to run short on food again>
<Food riots>

Care to show some authority for that view, apart from what would "likely" occur?

Honestly, these are only symptoms for the real issues. Me, I'd rather see every one of those properly dealt with... and clearly our government isn't handling these specifically (clashes with other corporate interests, you'll understand).

I'm not sure, but we may be on the same page on this. I do believe the biggest problem with our government today is corporate involvement. But I don't throw out the baby with the bathwater, saying that government is therefore inherently bad, or that it isn't still the most effective way to address large societal concerns, which, frankly, is a ludicrous assertion.

That's my point. I'm not saying other corporations can always accomplish what an extorting corporation can accomplish. You're so incredibly defensive: yes I'm going to to have a ribbing at your maturity over it

Well, have fun, if it pleases you to do so. As you don't know me at all, I think your ad hominem attacks on my demeanor do nothing to advance the validity of your position. It does, however, say a lot more about who you are than who I am.

What a government is 'for' is entirely goal dependent of said government. Understand, please, that not all governments are 'by the people', and not all governments are 'for the people', in whatever subjective capacity either of these statements may at one time or another entail (or not entail!).

It is incredibly difficult for anyone, by themselves (or with a gigantic group!), to change a strongly ingrained government. What body are you going to rely upon to regulate *GOVERNMENT*? <semi-genuine curiosity>

Government is in the market of doing 'big important things'.

On this, we fundamentally disagree. I think people have the government they deserve -- certainly true in this country, anyway. If enough people educate themselves as to the actual facts and not just take their positions based on the garbage that is spewed from mainstream news outlets; if they follow those facts wherever they may lead and then actually take substantive action, they can change anything -- even a flawed government.

Yeah, I'm an idealist, one who has seen how much even one individual, by themselves, can do. It's much more than you think.