Trust and Government: An Honest Discussion for Americans

Many Americans have been questioning their trust in the current government, often due to perceived lack of transparency and increasing allegations of interference. This skepticism is not unfounded. Understanding the structure of our government can help navigate these feelings.

The Nature of Trust

Trust is never an absolute. It's situational and context-dependent. For instance, just as you may trust someone to hold hands or go on a date but not to lend a significant sum of money, there's no expectation that the government should be trusted without conditions. Treat the government with the same skepticism you would with a stranger. It's made up of people, after all, and like people, it has its strengths and its flaws.

Democracy often masks the underlying complexity of government. While many believe in the democratic process, the United States, like many nations, is technically a republic. In a republic, government officials are elected to represent the will of the people, not to enact personal whims.

Blind Trust vs. Cautious Engagement

Some may advocate for blind trust in government entities. However, such an approach is dangerous. Blind trust ignores the problems and inequities that exist and tends to absolve the government of responsibility. When you treat people or the government with a lack of trust, you assume that they must be watched and monitored. This creates a larger perception that the world and people are dangerous, leading to a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Blind trust, in any form, is unwise because it ignores reality. On the other hand, engaging with the government critically and informedly is vital. Civic engagement means participating in the democratic process, staying informed, and understanding the limits of what the government can and cannot do. When you interact with the government, you pick your battles. You can enlist in appropriate civic duties and ignore those where you don’t see value.

Key Areas of Government Trust

As a U.S. citizen, some areas of government activity can be relied upon without question. These include:

Managing Roads: Infrastructure is critical, and the Department of Transportation handles it well, ensuring that roads are safe and efficiently maintained. Although there can be issues, the main function is consistently executed. Managing Skies: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ensures air travel safety and efficiency. Airlines and pilots alike rely on the FAA’s oversight. Collecting Taxes: The IRS collects taxes to fund national programs and services. While controversy may arise, the tax system functions to an extent. Prescription Drugs: The FDA regulates prescription drugs to ensure they are safe and effective. Trust in the FDA is crucial for maintaining public health. Managing Parks: National parks and local parks are managed by relevant government agencies to provide public spaces for recreation and conservation. Police Laws: Law enforcement agencies uphold the law and ensure safety. This is a complex area, but the institutions follow the legal frameworks in existence.

While these tasks are carried out with varying degrees of success, trust in these areas is more reliable than trusting the government in its entirety. This is reasonable because governments in any form are not perfect and can make mistakes. Recognizing areas where trust can be placed helps in making informed decisions.

Confronting Our Dual Nature

Mirroring author Terry Pratchett’s Jingo, the idea that government officials are “Us” and not “Them” is a powerful concept. It challenges the notion that problems stem from a separate entity, placing the onus on each individual to engage responsibly with the government. Pratchett’s quote suggests a somber truth: everyone is capable of doing bad things, and blaming others becomes a convenient way to avoid acknowledging our shared humanity.

Do you really want the government to?

These are the questions we should ask ourselves. Understanding the complexity of the government and the nature of trust can guide us in making informed decisions. Trust is a two-way street; it demands the government to be transparent and ethical while also expecting citizens to engage thoughtfully and responsibly.