How Muslims handle rape charges.

[bu villain]

So what can we learn from their rogue actions? This doesnt really support your will of the people argument. If they were acting on behalf of the people, they wouldnt need to hide anything from the people. If the will of the people is paramount, then why isnt government completely transparent?

This is nuanced so let me try to explain a little better. Politicians number one priority is to get reelected. Depending on the circumstances, this can manifest itself in several ways but I will discuss the two I have already brought up.

1. One way is to take positions their target voters agree with, even if they don't personally agree with it. This could be generally referred to as "will of the people" but is more accurately called "will of the target group of voters". The target group changes depending on the circumstances such as politicians taking more extreme positions in primaries than in general elections. It's also important to note that very few politicians target group is the whole US.

2. Another way is to implement action that will have a result the public likes but hide the nefarious means to get the result. The NSA program is an example of this. Everyone is happy as long as terrorists are caught but if it turns out the tool that was used to catch them is also spying on them, they aren't so happy. If no one ever found out about the NSA program, voters would have remained ignorant and happy that some terrorists were caught.

So the government isn't transparent because many politicians target groups have conflicting views. Transparency would prevent them all from trying to satisfy different groups at simultaneously. Also it aids in their ability to take actions with popular ends but questionable means of getting there.

[Sinfix_15]

This is nuanced so let me try to explain a little better. Politicians number one priority is to get reelected. Depending on the circumstances, this can manifest itself in several ways but I will discuss the two I have already brought up.

1. One way is to take positions their target voters agree with, even if they don't personally agree with it. This could be generally referred to as "will of the people" but is more accurately called "will of the target group of voters". The target group changes depending on the circumstances such as politicians taking more extreme positions in primaries than in general elections. It's also important to note that very few politicians target group is the whole US.

2. Another way is to implement action that will have a result the public likes but hide the nefarious means to get the result. The NSA program is an example of this. Everyone is happy as long as terrorists are caught but if it turns out the tool that was used to catch them is also spying on them, they aren't so happy. If no one ever found out about the NSA program, voters would have remained ignorant and happy that some terrorists were caught.

So the government isn't transparent because many politicians target groups have conflicting views. Transparency would prevent them all from trying to satisfy different groups at simultaneously. Also it aids in their ability to take actions with popular ends but questionable means of getting there.

During the last major terrorist attack, which wasnt prevented by the NSA spying program, the spying program was being used to spy on political opponents while simultaneously allowing a terrorists plot to go under the radar. Is it possible that the government's affection for programs such as this is based on the ability to manipulate elections and retain power than it is keeping americans safe? Is it within the government's range of abilities to override the constitution which was designed to limit the government's range of abilities based on the notion that theyre doing it in our best interest? Given the history of government, is it even feasible to believe that the government is acting selflessly on our behalf with this program?

[bu villain]

During the last major terrorist attack, which wasnt prevented by the NSA spying program, the spying program was being used to spy on political opponents while simultaneously allowing a terrorists plot to go under the radar. Is it possible that the government's affection for programs such as this is based on the ability to manipulate elections and retain power than it is keeping americans safe? Is it within the government's range of abilities to override the constitution which was designed to limit the government's range of abilities based on the notion that theyre doing it in our best interest? Given the history of government, is it even feasible to believe that the government is acting selflessly on our behalf with this program?

Rather than answering each question individually I will say this. Yes, the government can abuse power for political gain. No disagreement there. I do however believe what is in the governments best interest is not always opposed to the people's interest though.

[Sinfix_15]

Rather than answering each question individually I will say this. Yes, the government can abuse power for political gain. No disagreement there. I do however believe what is in the governments best interest is not always opposed to the people's interest though.

Thank you for agreeing that i'm right.