Responsibilities of the Government

The government has many obligations to those who live in the U.S.A. For example, it must provide police services, courts, a legislative body (Congress), postal services, de­fense against foreign invaders, and the like. What additional services the federal gov­ernment should provide has always been the subject of debate. Generally, conservatives feel that the federal government should not provide services much beyond the basics, while liberals want the government to provide assistance wherever it is needed.

Money for medical care for the poor and elderly, assistance for those who cannot afford decent housing, and aid to education at all levels are areas of controversy. During the twentieth century, the amount of direct assistance given to individuals generally in­creased. After considerable debate, Social Security was established in the 1930s to pro­vide a modest pension for retired people. Today, Social Security also provides income to people who cannot work because of physical or mental disability. Most workers are required to contribute to the Social Security system by paying taxes into the fund. The amount of monthly pension payments a person receives depends upon past wages and age at retirement. Medicare provides payment of some of the medical expenses of those 65 or older and aid to those unable to work because of mental or physical disability.

Many people think that the government should provide more funds for college education for those in need, day care for preschool children of working parents, more help for nursing home expenses, a national health care program, and other benefits. But these are very expensive programs and there is some opposition to the govern­ment's spending a lot more money on social programs.

The most important characteristic of the American government does not concern what it does or doesn't do. It is the way in which governmental decisions are made - by people elected by citizens. Americans have the power to change their representatives (at the end of their term in office) if they are dissatisfied with the decisions being made. Representative government is slow and inefficient compared to a monarchy or dictator­ship. But it has produced a government that Americans have no reason to fear and many reasons to admire. Most Americans believe that, in spite of its weaknesses, their system of government is the finest in the world.

In 1782, Americans chose as their national bird the bald eagle, one of the largest and most powerful of birds. This high-flying bird has long been a symbol of freedom and courage. Americans hope and believe that they will always have the courage and strength to protect the freedoms that their government provides. Protecting these free­doms is the ultimate responsibility of the American government and its citizens.

After you read

1. Getting the message

Answer each question by writing Yes or No on each blank line.

1. Can a resident alien ever become president of the United States? ____

2. Can a naturalized citizen vote in an American election? ____

3. Did the majority of eligible American voters vote in the 1996 presidential election? ____

4. Is a person who is eligible to do something, required to do it? ____

5. Does a person who is neutral support one side in a dispute? ____

6. Can the U.S. government require a person to serve in the military? ____

7. Does everyone pay the same percentage of their income in income tax? ____

8. Do most people pay their entire federal income tax in one payment per year? ____

9. Are American taxes high compared to those of other industrialized countries? ____

10. Do conservatives favor less governmental help to citizens than liberals do? ____