Unless and until we know why we have a Government, its raison d’etre, and to which we have given delegated powers; and why we pay taxes, we may always think that services from the Government are favours or alms, to be doled out to whom it pleases, when and how.
We create Government to provide us services, Willy nilly, and we are supposed to determine what these services are.
We have rights and place obligations on the Government, one of the components of a State agreed to respect, protect and fulfil these rights. Our rights could be political, civil, economic, cultural, social, environmental or even group rights.
Fulfilling these must never be a question of “if” or even “when”. They place obligations and we can demand their fulfilment. No begging…. No favouritism.. No knee bending.
We, the people, have a contract with our Government which we renew or cancel periodically, every 4 or 5 years. Electoral promises and expectations of citizens also form parts of this contract. They are accountability tools.
We may remind the Government about them but certainly not to beg. If it doesn’t fulfil them or reneges on them, well, the contract will be in our court, alone to decide its fate…
Do you know why we have a Government in place? Why we pay taxes? Why we have given a Government delegated powers? Do you see yourself as a mere cog in the turning wheel of the Government? Do you see State services as favours or entitlements?
