Well, I think it's about perspective, right? For the person who understands and values equity, order and progression toward better things as a group, you might see government as assuming most of the heavy lifting. Eveything we do in a day has something to do with government, whether in our parish or country right on up to the White House. They handle mail, trash, public and educational transportation, school meals, payout programs of all kind. They made sure the roads and bridges were working and protected the materials young people would need to continue the art. They ensure a modicum of comfort for the elderly. Government does much (the greatest portion of our budget goes to social welfare) to ensure the machine continues to work.
Hoewever, if your view is one of external locus of control - that is, those who think everything and everyone is to blame for their lot - then you see government intervening, attemtping control and further putting restrictions on life. They become the Great Excuse: If not for ___, things would be okay and I could get ahead; it's all the fault of __." And those peolpe will never be satisfied and will never work toward solutions becasue they don't see government as a partner in this social experiement, they view themas just another enemy. Conspiracies are born of ignorance and fear. With so many conspiracies to work through, they'll never see the true heart of government. They end up following personalities rather than policies and they've never been slow at sacrificing their mesiah for a newer model.
So it depends on your perspective. And it's important to keep in mind that we can shit our view any time we like.
