Jamal Smith

9/8/14

3rd period

Functions of Government

In order to ensure that a country is well governed, the government exercises its authority over its people by implementing laws, which people must follow and obey. The government has different functions, which include preserving order, maintaining a national defense, providing public goods, public services, collect taxes, and socializing the young.

The primary responsibility of the federal government is the protection of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the United States and freedom of American citizens. Maintaining a strong national defense protects from threats within our country and around the world. Playing politics with American defense can damage the economy, threaten the nation's security, and jeopardize foreign policy goals.

The government needs a source of income and that income source is mainly from taxes. The use of taxes separates the republican and democratic party. The republicans believe that lower taxes allow taxpayers to save money and invest for the future.

Government spending in the United States for FY 20...

English: Detail from Government. Mural by Elihu Ve...

Historical government spending by major function i...

Democrats think that raising taxes provides money for government spending which will generate business. Taxes are used to finance public services and taxes collected at the federal level are used to fund our national defense, collecting taxes ties in with protecting our nation by paying off military operations, supporting military families. The remainder is split among social security health programs, social assistance and educational programs.

Public services are common in our daily life. These services benefit the nation as a whole but would not be able without government spending. They include things like our highways, fire departments, libraries and police departments. Voters are given a voice on who administrates public services with elections of the mayor and city council. The more citizens use a public service the more attention it is given in politics.

Students learn from their parents the importance...