What is the purpose of a government? What values do we want to capture in a government? Who governs? Who pays? Who follows? What must you do? What must you pay? How do we set it up? Who gets to define the terms of the agreement? Who watches the watchmen?
What do we do?
These questions scratch the surface. Some have answers that don't satisfy me.
Government can stir the drink, but it can only stir the drink poorly.
Few people give the time to be thoughtful about the positions they take. Be thoughtful. Why do you want a vast social safety net? Why do you want abortion to be illegal? Why do you think it's okay to ban certain foods, drugs, or types of speech? There are some fundamental decisions that go into those kinds of policy positions. Some may think that it's all a battle of minutia and semantics, but those who hold that position are wrong. Understanding core, first principle, groundwork positions is integral for coherent macro-level positions.
Most people in the US are hypocrites and hold contradictory policy positions. Ban this but leave that alone. Get your hands off of 'x' but grope 'y'. I think government should prohibit the sale of marijuana but permit the sale of beer. Growing pot for personal consumption is wrong but home brewing is as American as apple pie.
I don't advocate for one particular type of policy, just for consistency and thoughtfulness.
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