When the U.S. government was founded, it was a small organization responsible for only certain national needs. The government performed services such as defending the nation, conducting trade and delivering the mail. With the passing of time, the U.S. government changed its mission. It also grew in size. The conservative, antifederalist ideas have faded away. This has allowed the government to grow into many sectors of the society and economy.

The Social Security Act of 1935 was a principal movement toward change for the federal government. It created larger government and economic stablization. The Social Security Act was a response to the Great Depression. At first, Social Security covered only citizens over the age of 60. The Social Security program paid benefits to senior citizens in order to protect them from the grips of poverty. Since 1935, the Social Security Act has been amended many times. It now covers more and more widows, children, workers and the disabled. Social Security has been a benefit to many U.S. citizens. It also has increased the government's size and power.

CS Question #1: : How does Social Security increase the size of the government's role in the economy?

The U.S. government continued to expand. New laws were passed to create new federal programs. In the mid-1940s, the government started passing laws to ensure equal economic opportunities for all U.S. citizens. Most of these laws were vague and somewhat meaningless. However, in 1946 Congress passed the Full Employment Act. This made the federal government responsible for maintaining a strong economy and job growth.

Later, the federal government would pass more focused laws to assist the disadvantaged. In 1964, Head Start was created to prepare economically disadvantaged children for success in public schools. It included medical and dental assistance, social services, and nutritional and psychological care. Head Start has since grown and spawned related programs. One of them addressed the needs of home-schooled children. Another focused upon elementary-age children. In order to institute such reforms and offer so many services, the federal government again had to grow in size and scope.

CS Question #2: Is it important for the Federal government to take responsibility for our children?

In 1970, President Richard Nixon created the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Before 1970, environmental laws were usually instituted at the state level. This led to a very confusing situation. There were many different laws covering many different regions. It was nearly impossible to enforce any of the laws at all. The Nixon administration sought to create a central authority to regulate environmental practices. The EPA has overseen the passage of:

• the Clean Air Act
• the Environmental Pesticide Control Act
• the Clean Water Act

These laws led to better, more enforceable environmental standards. However, state sovereignty was often compromised. By creating the EPA, the federal government again grew larger. It took on responsibilities once delegated to the states.

CS Question #3: Should it be the responsibility of the federal government to protect the environment? Or, do the incentives of private property and the profit motive take care of the environment?

Since its beginnings, the U.S. government has grown steadily. Some find the rate of growth alarming. Others see this growth as necessary and even healthy. Citizens demand certain basic services from government at a federal level. The government has expanded to try to meet those needs. Without the growth of the government there would be very few programs to assist those in need, such as the elderly, the disadvantaged and the disabled. The government's expansions have also created environmental laws. These laws help preserve the nation's natural resources and the health of the public. Such benefits have costs as well. As the government grows, it takes sovereignty away from regions, states and communities. Sometimes the federal government makes decisions without the input of the local citizens affected by those decisions.

CS Question #4: What are the costs of a large federal government?

Further Thought:

1. Why have citizens allowed the federal government to grow so substantially?
2. What are the future implications of large government on your purchasing power?
3. Is it possible to return the government to its original form, or has the public become too dependent on the resources the current larger government provides?