"That government is best which governs not at all"
"The government itself, which is only the mode which the people have chosen to execute their will, is equally liable to be abused and perverted before the people can act through it."
I chose multiple quotes because i found both of them to be equally important. Thoreau points out that the best government is not one that makes a bunch of laws, provisions, or interferes with your everyday life but rather one that lets the people rule (hence the second quote). The government was made to help execute the people's wishes, however this has proven to be incorrect. Often times the government can be corrupted by its own moral gain and agenda. Rather then looking at the best interest of the people , it looks at the interest of a group of people. Most likely a group that will benefit them (the government) if they help them.
"But, to speak practically and as a citizen, unlike those who call themselves no-government men, I ask for, not at once no government, but at once a better government"
However Thoreau doesn't want to get rid of the government, or overthrow it , he just wants a better one. One that "respects" [a] man.
I agree when you said that Thoreau does not want to get rid of the government because it is not entirely bad, Americans should demand a better government, one that is not corrupted and oppressive. There is always ways to improve the American government it just takes a lot of people and effort.
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