What do you think Obama's intent was with this statement? ?

Question

In Africa, you often see that the difference between a village where everybody eats and a village where people starve is government. One has a functioning government, and the other does not. Which is why it bothers me when I hear people say that government is the enemy. They don't understand its fundamental role.

Profile in The Independent Magazine (10 March 2007)

Answer 1

His intent was to show that Government is needed, what he failed to see was the starving village was the one with government and the prospering village was the one without government.  

Answer 2

He is saying that the result of corrupt governments is that the people who aren't wealthy are left to the wayside and that it isn't right.

Answer 3

I'd say the actual difference is rain versus no rain, not government or lack thereof.

Answer 4

To paraphrase Lincoln - A government that is powerful enough to give its citizens everything is also powerful enough to take it away.

Answer 5

government serves a purpose

Answer 6

ABSOLUTELY NOT!