The bigger the government, the smaller the citizen. True or False? How much government do we really need?

[RingOfFire]

Too few Americans know history and the number is declining with every generation. They don't know that the purpose of the US Constitution, the most copied constitution in the history of the human race, was not to tell US citizens what they can and cannot do but to tell the newly founded United States federal government what IT can and cannot do. The purpose of the document was to put strict LIMITS on the power of the federal government so that it could not tread on the rights of individual citizens to pursue their own lives in the way THEY desire not the way some government bureaucrat wants them to live.

The founders knew that there is no such thing as a big government that is also a benevolent government. They know that the bigger the government, the smaller the citizen and they tried to put as many safeguards in that document as possible to restrict the government from overstepping its bounds and involving itself in citizens' lives to a degree that exceeds the minimal necessary to maintain a civil society.

But over the years, the government has gone so far beyond the boundaries of the Constitution that those who created is would not even recognize the country today. Through influence by big government socialists and communists, who believe that government is the answer to all problems, it has taken on far more power over the people than that document ever granted them. It's hard to put the genie back in the bottle but at least this administration is trying to make the structural changes that are necessary to begin down that path. Since President Trump took office, government jobs have been cut and private sector jobs have reached the highest level in US history.

Is what the founders believed still true: that the bigger the government the smaller the citizen?

Yes still true. The bigger the government, the smaller the citizen. Government has grown too much and is involved in every facet of your life. That isn't what the founders intended.

No it's not true. I am a Democrat/Socialist/Communist and the government should grow money on trees and give people everything for free. Unicorns and pregnant men are a REAL THING!

[Just_Ken]

Largely depends. Government both federal to local needs to build and maintain Government. Problem i see with big Government in the US is the waste lc taxpayer money on bullshit through corruption, fraud and incompetence.

$50,300,000,000 (HHS) - The U. S. Government Accountability Office found $51.1 billion in improper payments—including overpayments, inaccurate recordkeeping, or fraud—in Medicaid during FY23

$50,000,000,000 (HHS) - Payments for alleged fraudulent overbilling of Medicare by insurance companies from 2019 to 2021

$43,600,000,000 (DOL) - The U. S. Government Accountability Office found $43.6 billion in improper payments—including overpayments, inaccurate recordkeeping, or fraud—in the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program during FY23

$22,600,000,000 (HHS) – Aiding illegal migrants through resettlement programs, home and car purchases, and loans.

21,900,000,000 (USDT) - The U. S. Government Accountability Office found $21.9 billion in improper payments—including overpayments, inaccurate recordkeeping, or fraud—in the Earned Income Tax Credit program during FY23

$18,700,000,000 (SBA) - The U. S. Government Accountability Office found $18.7 billion in improper payments—including overpayments, inaccurate recordkeeping, or fraud—in the Paycheck Protection Program Loan Forgiveness program during FY23

$14,600,000,000 (HHS) - Intended losses of allegedly fraudulent healthcare claims by 324 individuals, including 96 doctors, nurse practitioners, and pharmacists

$7,500,000,000 (DOT) – Funding a few dozen electric vehicle stations across the nation

[exitseven]

Thomas Jefferson says that the Government that governs least, governs best. A lot of the money the government spends is spent on things to enrich the government and not the citizens.

[RachyRach]

A good government isn't seen everyday yet things run smoothly

[itss_lily]

it doesn't even make sense. a citizen can't exist without a governing body or group and even then, the government is supposed to govern us and offer help to those in need

[Cidknee]

Yes, and that's a good saying.