Forum Post: I hope that OWS is discussing the "Purpose of Government"

Most of the threads here deal with process set up by governments. People seem to be focused on quick fixes. No such thing without a "Purpose".

An extraordinary government for the people must be driven by a Purpose.

What is a purpose and why should OWS participants want one?

Instinct tells us that what a Government stands for is as important as what it does for its people. We are drawn as much for the values as for the services Government provides us with.

Purpose isn’t everything, but it trumps everything else. Sure, every Government must also have strong leadership and much more. My belief is that it all has to start with a Purpose. That is the hinge that everything else hangs upon. Only when everyone can clearly articulate "Purpose" can you move on to Process and Measurement.

In my experience, the simplest way to explain purpose is:

" Purpose of Government" is a definitive statement about the difference you are trying to make in the world for all people.

If the citizens of a country have a clearly understood and agreed upon Purpose for having a government and can articulate it with clarity and passion, then everything makes sense and everything flows. You feel good about what your Government is doing and clear about how to get there. Society is excited and people sleep easier at night.

If you don’t have a clear and easy-to-articulate Purpose for Government, everything feels a bit chaotic, and maybe even meaningless. This is how people in the 99% feel today... chaotic and meaningless.

Purpose is a definitive statement about the difference we are all trying to make in the world. Purpose is the impact we want for "all" people. Not just 1% of the people. "All" people need to benefit from Purpose. Politicians need to come back to a core Purpose that serves "all" people.