Quote Originally Posted by JimR View Post
Indeed. Or rather, I see government as a POTENTIAL force for good, but all too often a tool of evil.
I'm actually relieved, Mark, that you at least think it's necessary. Far too many Libertarians (I'm assuming that is what you are? Forgive me if I'm wrong) are much too close to anarchists for my comfort.

I certainly understand the appeal of less government, the freedom to do as I see fit with my money and my life, but there are far too many NON-governmental forces that would take those very things away without the government's prevention...

Funny. Am I too naive, or too cynical?
Once the principles of "someone can make better decisions about my fate than I do - in the name of overall good and a better society" are established as a society's mantra (which *is* the building block of socialism), you are always on a verge of establishing some form of dictatorship. Human imperfection make noble intentions quickly deteriorate into "I can make better decisions about them than they are - for their own good", and there are no mechanisms in such environment that can prevent or stop massive abusing of power and moral corruption.

For that reason, I see governments as a necessary evil. They need to be kept at bay and closely watched and purged and stripped of false entitlements. If you do not see the danger of empowerment of "the wrong elites" (the weakest link of democracies, IMO) and their entitlement to run your lives, you are certainly very naive in my eyes.