> I would respectfully submit that the common > American assumption that the government cannot > be trusted to do anything right is self-fulfilling Yes.

> I would respectfully submit that the common > American assumption that the government cannot > be trusted to do anything right is self-fulfilling Yes. American here, and I feel the "self-fulfilling" aspect is key and is often overlooked. With such a significant portion of the country deeply suspicious of government, we steer away from government in the name of "freedom" but actually just place more power in corporations' hands. I feel as though our country is (perhaps stuck in) our awkward teenage years. You know how teenagers often resist anything teachers and parents tell them? We rail against government just because we can regardless of whether or not it's actually a good idea. In our defense, the last two presidential elections have shown a willingness of the country (particularly among younger voters) to begin to move away from some of the mistrust in government.