Who Should the Government Represent?

[The balkens]

Yep.

provided that they are informed of the situation.

"Informed of the situation" here defined as "Agreeing with me".

But you go Balk, you're really different from those SJWs you hate so much.

Never said that, but go on.


2. Yep, i despise the very concept of them, good thing no real employer in their right mind would hire someone with "gender and racial studies" as their major in College.

[The New Sea Territory]

Yep, i despise the very concept of them, good thing no real employer in their right mind would hire someone with "gender and racial studies" as their major in College.

...as if employment is a measure of a person's value.

[Conserative Morality]

...as if employment is a measure of a person's value.

And ignoring the many people with gender or racial studies who do get hired in relevant fields.

But that doesn't matter when there are SJWs to attack.

[Luziyca]

The people, obviously. But to be more specific, permanent residents and citizens.

[The balkens]

Yep, i despise the very concept of them, good thing no real employer in their right mind would hire someone with "gender and racial studies" as their major in College.

...as if employment is a measure of a person's value.

To me, its a part of it.

[New American Republic of Texas]

I think anyone with a working brain would say that the government is supposed to be for the people, by the people, and of the people of the United States. But thats not the case since we let corrupt politicians who are only in it for themselves run it.

[Lesser Mackonia]

Yep, i despise the very concept of them, good thing no real employer in their right mind would hire someone with "gender and racial studies" as their major in College.

...as if employment is a measure of a person's value.

...as if people had inherent value.

[Conscentia]

No-one. A government's purpose is administration, not representation. You vote for a guy to do a job, not to pretend to be you.

[The New Sea Territory]

...as if employment is a measure of a person's value.

To me, its a part of it.

You've drank the capitalist kool-aid, then.

[Ostroeuropa]

The nation and it's collective good.

Individual rights are nice and useful in that they often serve a collective good, and pointlessly fucking with people wastes resources and time that could be used on other projects.

So; "Citizens. But not as individuals."

No-one. A government's purpose is administration, not representation. You vote for a guy to do a job, not to pretend to be you.

I like this. The term I often remember is;

"An end to the government of men, and the beginning of the administration of things."

[The balkens]

To me, its a part of it.

You've drank the capitalist kool-aid, then.

Tastes great.

[Southerly Gentleman]

It should represent those who have satisfactorily completed their term(s) in the Terran Federal Service.

[Salus Maior]

Citizens. You know, the people who are actually registered to do anything in the country.

And all people who come into the country should absolutely become registered. No if/ands/buts.

[Conscentia]

You've drank the capitalist kool-aid, then.

Tastes great.

I prefer Kola Marx.

Have you ever tried anything from the Communist Menufesto? Leninade? Or perhaps something alcoholic - a Maojito perhaps?

[Sack Jackpot Winners]

Just like a lawyer acts in your interest and not the court, so should politicians act in their voting bases' interest.

Defense Lawyers don't care about their clients, they just care the about the money, about the profit, if you don't have money then get a public defender.

Sure, but my point still stands. It would be a breeze to compare defense lawyers to lobbyists though.

[Jumalariik]

Heh, no.

Then don't talk about meritocracy, thanks. There's nothing meritocratic about capitalism.

Let's ignore the fact that capitalism has created the most upward social mobility to date. Let's ignore the fact that poor people have become extremely rich due to their hard work at times. (http://www.businessinsider.com/billiona ... 13-12?IR=T)

I guess though there is nothing meritocratic about capitalism.

[Yorkers]

The government should only represent its citizens, and of those, give preference to the taxpayers.

[Jumalariik]

Whatever your political beliefs, be it pro-Democracy or pro-Monarchy, the question is the same for the people: "who should the Government represent?"

Some argued that Governments should only represent those who keep them in power, ignoring the rest, while others argued that the Governments should represent the whole wide World. I think that the question is crucial to understanding how one views the World. Not really going to copy paste the poll here, I think that's self explanatory.

"OP, what's your opinion?"

I think that a Meritocracy is the Ideal Form of Government, so in order to enhance that, all Citizens of the country, even ones who believe lies about being called to do Jury Duty right after you vote, should be represented by the Government. If you're part of the Jury Duty Conspiracy, I have a bridge, for sale, in Brooklyn, it's half off. I think that the Government should also make reasonable accommodations for permanent residents and provide a Path to Citizenship that can actually be understood and enforced without a bazillion lawsuits, but if push comes to shove, Citizens should get preferential treatment.

I think the question is kind of an odd one. The more pressing question is what the nature of the relation between governing people and those governed in general. I think there is more to talk about than just representation. I subscribe to the thought that government's job is to create order, justice and prosperity for its people. Considering this, I don't really know how representation even figures in on the theoretical level. On the practical level, there would not be a one size fits all solution.

[Yorkers]

Well, if someone is qualified to lead society then why should we deny them that chance?

Who decides qualifications?

The people in power.

Who's in power?

The people who are qualified.

See: bureaucratic class of pre-modern China.

It's a lot more civilized to justify your power by saying you're qualified than just killing someone like a barbarian.

[Equestria and Griffon]

The government should represent everyone!

[Sasar De]

Good question.

A government should represent the society which props it up. Based on your poll this would include permanent residents and citizens, assuming both are engaged in society. Refugees and other non-citizens should not be disregarded and abused but the government does not represent them.

[Salus Maior]

The government should only represent its citizens, and of those, give preference to the taxpayers.

Well, naturally. The people who refuse to pay taxes would be in a lot of legal trouble anyhow.

[Seleucas]

The government should only represent itself, and should only give out representation as it sees fit. There is no right to be represented, as representation has nothing to do with consent. Even if one is represented, they must obey the outcome of an election regardless of their choices, thus making their 'consent' someone else's choice. (And that is not even getting into whether their chosen candidate really enforces a voter's will, or is just the lesser of two evils.) Likewise, even the most permissive democracy does not extend the right to vote to every person (felons, non-citizens, other disqualifications etc.), yet everyone under its jurisdiction must obey its laws.

The idea that government is or should be based on consent is misleading and unnecessary regardless, and much better arguments could be made for the legitimacy of the state could be made. But that is beside the point.

[Galloism]

The nation and it's collective good.

Individual rights are nice and useful in that they often serve a collective good, and pointlessly fucking with people wastes resources and time that could be used on other projects.

So; "Citizens. But not as individuals."

No-one. A government's purpose is administration, not representation. You vote for a guy to do a job, not to pretend to be you.

I like this. The term I often remember is;

"An end to the government of men, and the beginning of the administration of things."

Better than my last campaign slogan "An end to the government of men, all hail the days of the old gods - reborn!"

[The East Marches]

It should represent my wallet and its interests