In the second paragraph, Thoreau says, "The American government- what is it but a tradition, though a recent one, endeavoring to transmit itself unimpaired into posterity, but each instant losing some of its integrity?" Do you agree that the government has been losing its integrity since its inception? Has it ever gained any back? If not, how could it ever gain it back? If you disagree with the notion that the government has lost its integrity, why?
I agree that over time the government has fallen and has needed improvement, however that is not to say that they have not prospered at some point. However I think that officials have lost their integrity when it comes to the government simply due to the fact that many incidents have changed the matter of thinking when it comes to what is right and wrong. If certain things in certain states were to improve and give reason for officials to prosper again, that would fix the essential problem.
ReplyDeleteUndoubtedly the government has lost integrity over the years. The American government never held a large amount of integrity to begin with, if you ask me. It has been corrupted over time by political agendas that lack any reasonable set of morals. The moment people begin acting against a moral compass, any integrity one might have is dismissed to me. However, I also agree with Kaelin that they have prospered to an extent. Despite having a nonexistent moral compass, the American government has been successful in overall.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the fact that the government has been losing its integrity since its inception, and I do not believe it has gained any back, as it has never been completely reliable. Not only has it not gained integrity, it loses it more and more as time goes on. I believe that it would gain it if there was less corruption, and the government had a better set of morals.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the government has lost it's integrity and even it's purpose over time. At the founding of our country, I believe the government was setup as a way to regulate the people and keep the peace. However, the role of government in our country (and most countries around the world) has shifted to a position that is more about control. By taking on this role, the government gives less say to the people and more power to the elected officials to get what they want.
ReplyDeleteAmericans have always had an uneasy relationship with the government, and mostly for good reason. The government has lost it's integrity since it's conception but instead of the loss being a steady decline I see it more of a roller coaster, as there have been periods like the Depression where basically everybody a distrust for the government, but there were also times such as the post WWII era where the general population was proud to be American and had a trusting relationship with the government.
ReplyDeleteThe government was never fully of integrity because from the start there has always been corruption and mistakes. I'm not sure that the government could ever earn back what they never had because there seems to always be underlying issues that cause something to break down. The common people may think that the government is okay but what are they hiding behind all of the stories and lies. I don't think that a person can fully put their trust in the government.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the government has lost its integrity over the years. They make many mistakes and are corrupt. They may be able to earn their integrity back one day but they would have a loy of work to do.
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