Reflection Paper One- Article: Despite Negativity, Americans Mixed on Ideal Role of Gov't & Lecture

“Americans have divided opinions when asked to think broadly about the purpose of government. About as many Americans (35%) prefer an activist government that tries in every way to improve the lives of its citizens as prefer a government that provides only the most basic government functions (37%), with the rest placing themselves between these two positions.” (Newport) 

In this quote from Newport it speaks how majority of Americans think government either overstep's its boundaries or underplays it roles. This is a huge issue that i believe also ties into the lecture on power. Power seems to play a concerning role in American lives , the abuse of it, as well as the neglect of it. One person being put in charge cannot accommodate to everyone, only to the majority. So if the majority is low class , they become the focus and everyone else becomes pushed to the side with no one to lend them a helping hand.  Simply put, the government system will never work for everyone. Some will say that they need more, some less because some are receiving more help than others. 

For example a current issue is welfare, there is a overwhelming amount of people considered to be "low class" and they receive a lot of help from the government. These individuals may think that they need the government less. However, the middle class (who just barely made it to that class) can be struggling just as much , but on paper they don't qualify for special benefits. This class may want the government to help MORE. It depends on whom the individuals are and in what type of living situations their in.  However as i've stated, its based on "majority" and no individual situations. 

I think its interesting how the idea of religion plays into government as well. As talked about in the Lecture the Declaration of Independence and other powerful documents are almost holy, as if they were a bible . Laws are "holy" , and are to be unbroken , if broken those criminals are punished. However i believe this can be somewhat of  downfall. Many start to believe the law is the law no exceptions. Sometimes there is more to the story. But when do we bend the rules, who shall decide to bend them? Does the person who bends them become more powerful than the others? Yes looking at laws as "holy" can maintain a somewhat stable environment, order if you will. However it also makes one person seem holy, above all else. The President begins to look like a God figure, and sometimes they develop that God complex.  They begin to make major decisions themselves. Although there is the senate or other forms of netting  ( a group that the person has to go through), in the end if they want something they can make it possible.