What is the purpose of government? The public debate in America has once again turned to this all important question and for the first time in a long time, the country elected legislators last fall who adhere to a radically different view about the role of government than is the consensus. Most politicians-and voters-left and right agree that government should not only provide basic security but ensure a basic standard of living. Democrats favor more generous social provisions than their Republican counterparts but conservatives usually agree that government should extend a safety net to those who seem unable to fend for themselves.