To: TimF who wrote (46727 ) 6/28/2013 12:37:56 PM From: Road Walker Read Replies (3) | Respond to of 85487 Why do you think wherever more than a few humans gather, in any geography, the first thing they do is create layer after layer of government? ==== 1 - They don't. It took a long time for governments to get anywhere near as complex as they are today. The grow complex as society grows more complex; they respond to need. When there was one road through town there isn't need for a local transportation department, when there are 1000 there is. 2 - To the extent there is any truth in your statement its partially because they want to control and "screw" each other and layers of government are a good way to do that. (Also partially because others would organize against them and attack, defense against criminals and invaders is one of the most legitimate reasons to need some sort of government.) Come on now Tim, humans don't form governments to screw each other, they form governments to protect themselves. Defense is one reason, but that doesn't explain cities and counties, or even state governments. No, it's a natural human element to establish regulation. We couldn't live in our complex society without government controlling virtually everything. It's what gives us trust, to spend our life savings to buy a house, to buy a stock, to order a meal, we know that those transactions are regulated. Not always perfectly, but to the best ability of generations of 1000's of government folks that have recognized problems and enacted regulation to solve them. It's how we humans function, it creates trust in strangers. There are over 90,000 trade and professional associations in this country. These are quasi-government organizations founded to regulate, tax and punish the members for bad behavior. They spring up wherever humans gather with a common interest, be it profession or geography. We submit to them eagerly. Strip your mind of your libertarian myths for a moment, step back and look at what humans actually do. They, we, are compelled, in any and every situation, to set up authority. To restrict ourselves in almost every way. There are thousands and thousands of regulations that you have memorized, that you obey every day by rote. It's your nature. It's my nature. It's what we are. Fight it if you want, but it's silly.