Cynicism warning

[jhetley]

People seem to think that governments exist for the benefit of those governed. There is little historical evidence to support this belief. Any apparent benefit to those governed can usually be traced to a congruence of goals between the plebeians and the patricians.

Comments

[wcg.livejournal.com]

I know Jim. But, incurable optimist that I am, I'll continue to believe in that dream articulated back a while ago about "government of the people, by the people, and for the people."

Silly, I know. But I'm just that way.

[starcat-jewel.livejournal.com]

There is supposed to be a mutually supportive relationship. Historically, when that can be seen to have failed, governments have fallen.

[jhetley.livejournal.com]

I dunno, but it's possible that more governments have fallen because they turned soft and quit lopping off the heads of dissidents....

[nathelmi.livejournal.com]

Government being "for the people" is sort of like your prison dom being nice and giving you a reacharound while it's busy doing...well, I'm not going to defile your journal comments by explicitly stating it. In fact, I'm of half a mind to not type it.

But oops, it looks like I hit the post comment button.