Responsibility Changes

I was having a conversation with some people on a social media site the other day that made me realize something. It is one those things that you know, but it takes something happening to make you realize it. Most people approach and look at situations from the perspective of their experience, but there are some things that require looking and acting from a completely different perspective and set of rules.

The specific example of this is government. As an ordinary citizen it is the perspective and experience to stretch every cent to its maximum and to try to put away as much as possible in savings. As a business person it is similar, but it is not the goal to put away for savings, but instead to maximize profits to as obscene a degree as possible.

Fundamentally, while some may disagree, there is nothing wrong with that. However, once you take the step into government, no matter at what level, that perspective and approach has to be totally eliminated. The purpose of government is to govern or to serve as guiding authority. It is the government’s responsibility to ensure that there is fair policy and protections for all that it governs. This is not just the making and enforcing of laws, but also the institution, funding, and regulation of programs for the benefits of the citizenry and the nation. So while it is still important to stretch every cent to its limit, there is no putting away for a rainy day or maximizing profit in the sense that those outside of the government would look at it. The profits that are seen by the government is the benefit it gives to the citizenry. The primary benefit to the people and therefore profit to the government comes from a stable and consistent infrastructure. Things like well maintained roads, effective schools, properly staffed police and emergency services, open channels of communication and commerce, maintained historical sites and parks, properly funded scientific research and exploration, etc. Not only do these things help keep the movement and flow of business and people moving smoothly and efficiently, but they also place that money back into the citizenry many-fold.

It is a completely and antithetically different mindset and approach looking at what is best for all of the citizens, instead of what is best for this select few citizens. Any that cannot understand this to their very core have no business getting involved in politics at any level, at any time, ever.