What is government's role in a capitalist society?

[zclifton2]

"Bush is the Decider", Journalist's type; they type out the actual script giving to them by Bush staff, and then capitalistic newspaper Publishers print the story verbatim out of the President's mouth.
Let me try and make this simpler for you: The Decider and Ty per and then Publisher of exact words of the Decider.
You got it? Decider, Typer and publisher, and no curse words repeated.
Remember that or you will find yourself in the military in Iraq one of these mornings!

[Randy D]

That's about the best summation of the role of government in a capitalist society I've heard lately. The key, carrying your point just a bit further, is to find the right mix of capitalism and "socialism", which is what social security, minimum wage and welfare and equal employment opportunity stuff is all about. And that's what keeps the democrats and Republicans talking or bitching at each other about. And yet, as I think further about it, if we as human beings have that tendency to care for our fellow man, which is why those "socialist" factors come into play in a capitalist society, wouldn't "government" be just a formalized or organized charity organization, a huge one at that, with regard to social welfare programs? That, therefore, would theoretically remove the need for "government" as an entity set apart from the people since the capitalists are the ones with the money to disperse, and they do it so comprehensively in programs such as those listed above, as well as letting churches be tax exempt which they have been for so long, as well as international efforts like the Berlin Air Lift of the 1960's or all the gazillions of dollars that have been given to Mexico and all of Latin/South America to revive and rescue their economies and societies, and africa, to resolve all their diseases they come up with, the latest being AIDS, and their interminable "civil wars", and southeast asia, and on and on. I guess, as a result of this seeming rambling, I think it is the capitalists that developed all the national and international charities, etc., and so we'd best be cautious in tampering with such a good thing. God Bless you.

[Bruce S]

To regulate and tax commerce, maintain the public transportation systems, support a country-wide comprehensive health-care system, defend the country and educate the public. Leave the rest alone. The Government should not be the substitute for parents and extended families. Morality is a family matter that once instilled enriches society or depraves it. Unfortunately, so many of our critical problems can be traced back to deteriorating family support structures.

[doofuss]

It is to create an environment in which consumerism and capitalism can thrive within certain limits. Monopolies are forbidden. Unfair practices are forbidden. Corporations would still give generously, as they do now, to many worthy causes. They don't often publicize it. We get a bigger bang for the buck when a corporation gives money, than when 'Da Guvamint confiscates our money to do it.

[daljack]

Then should we have a socialist or communist government? There should be a way to have both. To let the people with mega-money get all that they can, but also make sure the less fortunate isn't ignored and left to rot. There should be a middle ground.

With all the craziness in our government now and people on extreme sides....we could be getting to this "middle-of-the-road" USA. I for one hope so.