The Purposes of Government V. Martinez The Government of the U.S. began when colonists decided they did not want to have a king. The colonists didn’t want to be ruled by King George because he was unfair. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofYmhlclqr4&feature=related School House Rock “No More King” So they established their own government. Everything about our government is described in the constitution. The Constitution The constitution is a “living document”. We say that because it can be changed or amended. The beginning of the constitution is called the Preamble to the Constitution. Preamble to the U.S. Constitution We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. The Preamble to the Constitution Listen to this video on the Preamble: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q _TXJRZ4CFc The Purpose of Government C-1A-E2 Explain the purpose of government. There are 6 purposes for government. Form a more perfect union (a common set of rules) Establish justice (fairness) Ensure domestic tranquility (peace) Provide for the common defense (protection) Promote the general welfare (help the needy) Secure the blessings of liberty (freedom) Government- helps meet basic needs of society. —providing education —supplying social welfare —building and maintaining roads —providing and maintaining public facilities (post office, hospitals, schools, libraries) Government Provides Education Public education is education mandated for or offered to the children of the general public by the government, and paid for, in whole or in part, by taxes. Government Supplies social welfare Social welfare refers to any program which seeks to provide an income, service, or other support for disadvantaged peoples such as the poor, elderly, disabled, students, unpaid workers such as mothers and other caregivers, and underprivileged groups. Government - Builds and Maintains Roads Interstate highways are an example. Interstate highways receive federal money but they are repaired and operated by the states. Government Provides and Maintain Public Facilities Post office Public Library Hospitals Schools