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How would you answer someone who says they hate our government?

Yesterday I had my eyebrows touched up. "I can't stand our government," the cosmetic tattoo artist said four times. I refused the bait. Did not reply.

"What's the Census?" she asked. I explained the Census is done every ten years. The main purpose is to determine the population count in every state for apportioning seats in the House of Representatives. I know the Census does more. Simplified it for the simpleton. Did not want to argue.

"I cannot believe you never filled out your Census form," I said mildly.

I figured she was a Trump-supporter. Didn't want her to mess up my eyebrows.

What I wanted to say-

Are you saying you don't want clean air and water?

You don't want roads, bridges, mail delivery, schools, universities, clinics or hospitals?

You don't want minority people or women to vote?

You don't care about industrial pollution, traffic safety or workplace safety?

You don't care about helping people in need? Protecting children from abuse?

You don't want free vaccines for polio, smallpox, measles, mumps, rubella, HPV and COVID?"

You hate firefighters, teachers, police officers and dedicated civil servants? (I could go on).

What would you say?

LiterateHiker 9 Feb 2
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12 comments

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1

Geez....you mean that the government serving 330 million people means that I won't always get my way? I won't always get what I want only ??? Only ME, ME, ME? Then.... Gawd I hate them too !

twill Level 7 Feb 9, 2022
2

Let’s put it this way…….I don’t really believe anyone ‘Loves’ the Government. I don’t. But you do have to be involved in it when you can, Firstly by voting in your LOCAL elections more often, because they have MORE of an effect on your life than Federal Policies do. And you need to at least have a basic understanding of your rights. Younger generations like Gen. Z and even an overwhelming amount of Americans don’t even seem to be aware of this. More focus needs to go onto turning these things around more than anything else.

Well said!! 😉

3

It depends. If she really is a simpleton, nothing. If I knew her and saw her on any kind of regular basis, I'd slowly deconstruct her argument by figuring out a government program she benefited from, even if were as basic as public roads or Medicare for her parents. It has to be done slowly, over time, with examples that are relevant. Even then, it is not likely to work as she is not uninformed, she is misinformed and has internalized it.

@Mitch07102

The only person I can change and control is myself.

5

There are things I love about my local government, but dislike about my state government and there are things I both love and hate about the federal government. I do what I can to support or stand against things I care about. How? By voting, being counted in the census, interacting with the politicians representing me. Isn't it wonderful that we can make our voices heard? Some governments don't allow that. We are lucky! Yes, there are things I hate about our government, but I do have hope and faith in people to hold our government accountable, as much as we can.

People need to be involved in local elections more…….State, County, Local levels more than the Federal ones. (President, US Senate, Congress)

5

I would say in a shocked tone as if I took the statement literally. "You mean that if your house caught fire, you would not call the fire department. Oh I would never do that, I love it that my government would help me then. And in any case I could not get here to see you without the public roads, and I should hate to see you go out of business."

1

That's not the main reason you do a census, it's mainly for town/ service planning.eg future needs for schools, hospitals, police etc.
Out of the list you made, how would you assess their performance?
Government does a lot of things and by that I mean civil servants. Government can run fine without politicians, the law makers, as you just keep following the status quo as governments do during changeover periods.
Hate is a strong word, the world is not that black and white.

puff Level 8 Feb 3, 2022

@puff

I know the Census does more. Simplified it for that simpleton. I worked for the Census every ten years since 2000.

7

Since I'm in the civil service, I get to ask people why they hate me. I get to point out that "government" is law enforcement, public safety, national defense. Since it's usually conservatives that I'm talking to around this area, they tend to start backing down and admitting that, well, they don't hate all the government... and then we can quibble over details.

If it's a coworker, I get to point out that they hate themselves.

A fellow officer once denied that they were part of government. "Who the fuck do you think pays your check?" I asked.

Most conservatives really don’t have a good understanding of what “Socialism” really means or is. They really just see it as a communist form of Government (China, Former Soviet Union) more than anything. Even when I point out to some of them (who happen to be coworkers as well as friends, colleagues, family members) that Federal Programs like Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, School Districts, County and State Road Maintenance are all Socialist programs, Some of them will still try to spin it out in their own heads that it isn’t really that somehow. But many of them of course don’t see education as anything useful.

@CuddyCruiser And they hate Obamacare while still wanting universal insurance.

Sounds like my brother in Texas. He serves subpoenas , works for the government, hates the Government. Well, there's always the private sector.

Mostly, he's poisoned by religion

@twill Weirdly, I have a brother in Texas. He's mainly poisoned by alcohol.

5

I would say, I worked for the government my whole adult life. I hate moochers that have never done anything for the country.

2

I agree with you fully and would like to answer the way that you really wanted to say. Instead, those who often tell me they cannot stand our government get replies out of me to the effect that it's pretty hard to "have it your way." That's an idea that just does not work because we all have different opinions and agendas. We have to realize that we are not all the same and we have to stop wanting everyone to be the same. If you are that type of person you are really saying you want everyone to be just like you. That's a little trick that Trump pulled on everyone.

What did happen recently at my workplace is something that I responded to. A man came in wanting something for his car and said before he had to go all the way to Dupo, Illinois and he hated to go there. They are all liberal SOB's and if he goes there he always carries his gun because you do not know what they are going to do. My instant reply was that if he shot any of those liberal SOB's he would probably be facing charges for doing so. He agreed that I'm probably right. Then the conversation got away from the ever present and exaggerated political party nonsense that goes on these days.

3

The country is loved, supported, fought for, what ever it takes. Those that work and govern only when the act as they should in accordance with the Constitution.

4

Can't argue trumpers

Trumpers ARE the government in my state.

3

You bring up very good points. Go back to one of the countries your ancestors came from. If that person doesn't like the government.

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