QUOTE: the "government" means the collective representation of society

RESPONSE: What a quaint notion. However I don't think its ever been true and I doubt it every will be. Government is the sole institution of society with a legal right to be violent. That is its defining attribute. It represents "society" no more or less than the major religions, the radio talkshow hosts or Coke Cola.

No lunch-breaks please, no extra-payments on Christmas (Jesus was from Jewish origin, was he?), no maternity leave fuss – negotiate if you were ready to suppose New Year present to Spring holidays if, again, any at all.

The more rednecks – the better Australian future for British passport holders!

However, does it matter for those-in-a-pool already?

Terje,

First, your quote was out of context from what I wrote, in response to Boaz who was repeating "not the government's responsibility". I therefore urge you: assuming (at least for the time-being) that you agree with me that society has certain responsibilities toward individuals (the alternative being fascism), who if not the government should, in your opinion, be practically carrying out those responsibilities on society's behalf: the major religions, the radio talkshow hosts, or Coke Cola?

As for the point you raised, I wonder how a democratic society could elect and maintain in power a violent government? isn't it (however unappealing) that the majority of society today is violent enough to keep a violent government in place to represent it?

Now my turn to take things out of context...

MichaelK,
"no extra-payments on Christmas (Jesus was from Jewish origin, was he?)"

- great idea, since based on historical evidence, Jesus was born around June; and being Jewish, he would never sanction the pagan holiday that is now annoyingly called after him "Christmas", which is in fact based on the return of the Sun-God after the winter solstice.

Terje, You are full of it, but at least your consistent mate, none on these pages can argue with that notion. Consistently unfair, lacking compassion for your fellow man, greedy, mean and tricky, it must be hell being you, you are one person who should be diagnosed.