It is irrational in the extreme to even think that a large, modern society can be secure, safe, and healthy, and even prosperous (governments build highways, for example) without government. The "individual liberty and initiative" canard doesn't hack it anymore, if it ever did. The day of the industrious American pioneer thriving through hard work, self initiative and virtuous living with only occasional exposure to the government down at "the county seat" is a thing of the past. Most people will take the path of least resistance every time and sacrifice the future for today's enjoyment--carpe diem. The private sector (not just here but all over the world) caused, for example, global warming and will not spend one dime to fix it absent enormous pressure from government. I shudder to think what kind of dangerous drugs would be on the market as well, for another example, if it weren't for agencies like the FDA. Big government: the solution to this country's ills. Civilization is too important to trust to unregulated individuals, however well that may (supposedly) have worked in the 1800s, and education based on rigorous national standards and curricula is one way to keep us civilized, or semi-civilized at least.
Bring on the "socialist," "communist," and "liberal" labels in all their forms. They're mildly comical.
