Government seems to be a dirty word here in Cryptoland. Damn Government, if only if would let me do whatever I wanted and not tax me to death I would be a titan of industry! I'm going to tell you something that's going to be hard for you to hear, you very likely would not be. In fact, you very likely would be much worse off under a significantly deregulated regime. I know you think you're talented and special, but statistically only very few of you are. Those people I guess can tune out now ::shakes head as 60% of people think this applies to them::, the rest of you should listen.
Why have a government?
Let's start with why we have a government in the first place. There are more than 300 million people in this country. Every single one of those people has their own ideals, goals, and agenda. Most of which is not going to align with how we can move ourselves forward as a society. So some organization needs to set the agenda for the country. Now we used to do that with monarchs, which are great for implementing a cohesive strategy. Unfortunately it also tends to operate in a way that mostly benefits the monarchy and maintaining the monarchy's power. Then some revolutions happened in the US and France in the late 18th century and the modern republic was born. As Lincoln phrased it, we now have governments that are of the people, by the people, and for the people! Hooray!
Outside of the monarchs in older societies, you also had the nobility and the feudal lords. These where other members of society who had obtained wealth, power, and influence. They often had the ear of the king and convinced him to govern in ways that would benefit them. All of this translates to people with power using the system to maintain that power and accumulate wealth at the expense of people without power. But in a modern republic, everyone's vote counts the same! See that's where the real role of government is revealed. You have people that are going to accumulate wealth and power beyond the average citizen. With a modern republic however, the governing body is selected by everyone with the same influence, thus organizing a body with enough power to temper the interests of the elite.
But aren't the politicians corrupt and serving the ruling elite anyway?
This is partially true. Some politicians are corrupt although true corruption is relatively rare in US politics. Some fall under the influence of lobbyists and donors more than we like. Here's the thing though, remember what Lincoln said again, we are a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. Do you know why government isn't working for the people? It's because the people are not doing their part. Low information voting, single issue voters, non-voting, disinterest in politics and issues, and inaction are some of the way that people fail to do their civic duty and select politicians that actually represent them. Politicians aren't lying to you, 67% of the time they attempt to keep their promises. Even Trump who lies constantly is actively attempting to do most of what he said he would on the campaign trail. If we had an informed, invested, and active electorate in this country, we might actually get the stuff done that we never seem to be able to (what's up responsible gun control and healthcare reform?). The saddest part of the Russian interference is not that it happened or that Trump tried to use it to his advantage, it's that it worked. Russia is just one of many powerful interests that knows it can't rig the election, but it doesn't have to. It just needs to have enough of the electorate soak up their message that they do what they want. Like it or not, you have the government that we collectively voted for.
Aren't regulations bad? Don't then suppress freedom? Taxes are theft!
Well, no. Regulations and laws are the mechanism by which the government, which is supposed to be repenting the best interests of the nation as a whole, asserts influence on the actions of everyone to act in accordance with those interests. Do you know why the EPA Superfund exists? It's not to tax those poor companies just trying to manufacture here in America. It's because hazmat dumping was such a bad problem entire towns had to relocate and companies were going bankrupt before they could pay for the clean-up. Sorry guys, I know you're super responsible and would never pollute, but some guys fucked it up in the past for you and now we have to do it this way. Make take your frustrations up with them. See just like why I won't date in the danger zone of the Hot/Crazy matrix any more, rules usually exist because we learned our lesson the hard way the first time. As they say, the fire code is written in blood. I work in the financial sector, so I know how expensive and burdensome SOX compliance is. I also know that before that Enron fucked a lot of people out of money by lying to them. Sure regulation is inefficient. But it exists to prevent actions that we as a society consider to be unacceptable, especially when society is often the one to absorb the consequence of that action.
Also that tax comment is not a question. Taxes are how we pay for what the government does. Yes there is money lost to waste and corruption, although it's not as prevalent as you think. Sure money gets spent on programs that don't help you in the slightest (others may feel the same about things you do benefit from). But this is how we fund our national priorities. You may not feel you see where all that money goes or how it benefits you, but believe me it does. Watch Obama's much maligned in GOP circles "You didn't built that" speech again.
He's absolutely right. Did you build the road that gets your product to the stores? Did you build the school that educated your employees? Every opportunity you have exists because we as a society provided the infrastructure to make it happen. If you had to handle all the things individually that we provide to everyone, good luck focusing on your business. Actually good luck to anyone getting anything done. Most of how we're able to function as a society is directly because we collectively pay for the infrastructure and that frees us up to do our jobs. I just did my taxes. Am I happy that 33% of my wages went to taxes? Not at all. But I also understand that money I pay enables me to even have a job in the first place.
I still don't really like the way government works. Can we fix it?
Me too. I think our government sucks in a lot of ways. It's got a lot of flaws, but it's also the least bad system we're been able to come up with. So what can we do to make it even less bad? For starters, don't be one of those irresponsible voters I pointed out before. Know your issues and know who is best going to represent your interest regardless of affiliation. Vote. Let substance win over style. Politicians are cowards because they know one unpopular move can tank the rest of their career. They can't even get a bipartisan prison bill that the majority of Americans though because of reelection concerns in some areas. Call your congressperson to let them know when you support them and when you don't. I have friends that have worked for officials, it absolutely makes a difference. Don't ignore your local elected officials either. Not only do they actually matter a lot more to your daily life, but they are the national politicians of the future. For better or worse, we have the government that the people have built.
