Quote Originally Posted by MadMojoMonkey View Post
The purpose of a gov't is whatever its citizens decide its purpose is
Did North Korea's citizens decide that it's government's purpose should be to starve and oppress the people?


Quote Originally Posted by MadMojoMonkey View Post
The purpose is what it SHOULD do, which is perfectly subjective.
False. Especially when you combine it with the first quote. You're saying that the government is SHOULD do whatever it's citizens decide it should do.

Maybe you've heard this one lately......"The government should make it illegal for nazi's to say nazi things around non-nazi's"

^That's a totally subjective statement about what the government should do. The vast majority of people in this country agree with the underlying sentiment of distaste for nazi's. But that doesn't mean that the government SHOULD make a law, no matter how hard you wish for it to happen. Now lets say there was 1 nazi left in the whole country, and all 325 million other people decided that they wanted a law banning nazi rhetoric.

Let's say hypothetically that the vote is literally 325 million to 1 in favor of the law. LEt's say that all but one citizen has "decided the gov't's purpose" is to squash nazi speech. Let's say that all but one citizen in the entire country feel that there SHOULD be a law stopping nazi talk.

The OBJECTIVE reality remains....

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."

To a degree, you're right. Some people in the late 1700's got together and decided what the government's purpose is. It was based on their philosophies, opinions, and experiences at the time. I guess you can call that a 'subjective decision'. But after it was ratified into a constitution....it's no longer open for edits.

Sorry if that's all too America-centric for you. But knowing what I know about wuf's posts, I think its safe to assume that America is a central discussion point. But if you prefer the international flair....then please explain how North Korea can oppress and starve people if those same people are responsible for dictating the government's purpose?