We’re supposed to write about what each progressive principle means to us. For “Effective Government,” I have chosen to write about the most effective government I know: America.
To me, an effective government is not only one who defends its citizens and strives for justice, but one where its people have freedom and prosperity. The American dream is about as close to an effective government, in my mind, as there could possibly exist. America is a unique nation of which I am a proud citizen.
America was founded for the people, by the people and if it fulfills its purpose, then it is being an effective government. However, in America, what does it mean to be an effective government?
Let us look at what our founding fathers have said. The Declaration of Independence is a good place to start:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
The Declaration goes on to say that it is the duty of the people to alter or abolish a government that denies us these unalienable rights. Life…liberty…pursuit of happiness.
Just think…those men put their lives on the line in order to give us what they believed to be an effective government. A government by the people, for the people, through life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
America is a beautiful country and she passes laws to protect and defend. Some laws that defend us are, for example, the Bill of Rights, which give us many freedoms, including the rights to bear arms, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and similar freedoms.
In America, we have the freedom to walk around town with a shirt saying something about your religion or about politics. In America, we're free to have an OPINION and we are free to SHARE that opinion. In America, we are free to have the safety of protecting ourselves in case of intruders. In America, we are free to disagree and to protest. We have many freedoms in America that other countries do not enjoy. We need to appreciate these freedoms more and continue to fight daily for them.
What are some other ways America protects and defends her citizens’ rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness?
In God We Trust ~ National Motto
I think our government sucks. It is slightly less oppressive and considerably less corrupt then most other governments but that does not make it effective.
About the only things I think our government does well is collect taxes and waste money.
If you want effective government you really need to look at fascism. It is not a very pleasant form of government but it is very effective. Consider that little tiny Nazi Germany kicked most of the world's butt for most of 7 years. They conquered almost all of Europe, a big chunk of Africa and almost half of the Soviet Union. Now that is effective! Totally EVIL but effective.
A more recent example of fascism is China. I know they call themselves Communists but they no longer practice communism. They have combined free market capitalism with totalitarian political control and that is the essence of fascism. Again it is not a very pleasant way to govern but it actually is working pretty effectively and is starting to improve the lives of their people. In just a little over a decade they have lifted 400 million people out of poverty and are well on their way to establishing a prosperous middleclass.
Well, it's the most effective government I know of for my idea of an effective government.
I agree...they're pros at that.
Well, if your definition of an effective government is one that has miserable subjects, but wins its wars, then yes, Nazi Germany was an effective government.
RESPECT LIFE
http://progressiveu.org/blog/respectlife
"It is poverty to decide that a child must die so that you may live as you wish."
~Mother Teresa
It was not just wars.
They were pretty effective at everything they tried.
They built an incredible industrial complex.
They excelled at science. They invented the rocket engine. They invented the jet engine. And they came very close to beating us to the atom bomb.
They were very good at exterminating people.
They were very good administrators.
They were totally evil but very effective.
You never really said how America (which I guess means the USA) is an effective government. You did not even really discuss government much at all. You really did not define 'effective government' yourself so I can see how he input his own thoughts of it. If The US has achieved this goal of effective government why is it still a progressive principle?
I venture to say this might have been what 'Jack.' was alluding to but I dare not speak for him. As in how can effective be good, and good for who?
Other then that I actually liked the post and the fact that you started to bring up the constitution. I bet if you reported a little more ont his it would be readable-> a compliment given that I think most historical reports are deathably boring.
Love is like a box of chocolates; if you chose wisely you won’t be disappointed and have to spit it out. ~T
OK, I think I defined things a little better and made things a bit clearer. : ) How's it now?
RESPECT LIFE
http://progressiveu.org/blog/respectlife
"It is poverty to decide that a child must die so that you may live as you wish."
~Mother Teresa
I disagree with your second sentence. Coming from someone who has seen all sorts of oppressive governments, I would say that we slightly less corrupt and considerably less oppressive. If you think that the US is oppressive, let me take you on a couple trips to the more scenic parts of the globe.
However, the rest is spot on. Especially with China.
I concede the point.
would Pakistan be a He?
I so did not turn on my serious switch this morning :0)
"A person doesn't die when he should but when he can."
- Gabriel Garcia Marquez, One Hundred Years of Solitude
"close your eyes, clear your heart.."
Fudge
NO Pakistan is female too... and when they ally it is God condoning gay marriage....please do not strike me down for saying that...I am a sucker for bandwagons.
Love is like a box of chocolates; if you chose wisely you won’t be disappointed and have to spit it out. ~T
But it took me a while, I was doing this -:- for about 2 minutes
"A person doesn't die when he should but when he can."
- Gabriel Garcia Marquez, One Hundred Years of Solitude
"close your eyes, clear your heart.."
Fudge
I'm not sure, I've just always heard America be called a "she". : )
ROFL to Whispers : P
RESPECT LIFE
http://progressiveu.org/blog/respectlife
"It is poverty to decide that a child must die so that you may live as you wish."
~Mother Teresa
I mean her standing there in Liberty Island, holding that torch since...(checking google)...October 28, 1886
I call that some serious dedication to the cause of liberty ;;)
"A person doesn't die when he should but when he can."
- Gabriel Garcia Marquez, One Hundred Years of Solitude
"close your eyes, clear your heart.."
Fudge
Hey! You learn something new every day! : D Thanks for the interesting fact about the Statue of Liberty! That very well could be why they call America 'her'. : )
RESPECT LIFE
http://progressiveu.org/blog/respectlife
"It is poverty to decide that a child must die so that you may live as you wish."
~Mother Teresa
There is also something like that in Pakistan too, but ours was not a gift from France :)
Minar-e-Pakistan
"A person doesn't die when he should but when he can."
- Gabriel Garcia Marquez, One Hundred Years of Solitude
"close your eyes, clear your heart.."
Fudge
Neat! I learn two things today! Thanks, asmaw! : D It looks neat! The bottom gives it a nice flair : P
RESPECT LIFE
http://progressiveu.org/blog/respectlife
"It is poverty to decide that a child must die so that you may live as you wish."
~Mother Teresa
Our national motto is "E Pluribus Unum," not "In God We Trust." The latter statement was added to U.S. currency in the 1950's as a blow to the atheist USSR.
~Violinstef
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_national_motto
RESPECT LIFE
http://progressiveu.org/blog/respectlife
"It is poverty to decide that a child must die so that you may live as you wish."
~Mother Teresa