Why Should Government Do (X)?

As the US election cycle rolls on, people are clamoring for ever more government control over our lives. Is this really the panacea proclaimed to be by politicians and the puppet press? I have a few simple questions based on verifiable observations I would like to see answered before people claim government is a solution to anything.

1. Monopolies promote waste and abuse by forbidding consumer choice and rational economic calculation. How are government monopolies immune to these failings inherent in such monopolies?

2. The larger the bureaucracy, the more it stagnates. Innovation goes against the inertia of policy and tradition. This is visible to anyone who has worked in businesses of different scales. How are growing government bureaucracies made more dynamic and responsive over time in direct opposition to the trend observable elsewhere?

3. Open prices allow consumers and producers at least some degree of rational economic calculation. How does hiding costs behind layers of tax funding and bureaucratic management promote thrift, efficiency, and adequate service?

4. Profit is the obvious motive behind market services. Some measure that profit in dollars, some by what their dollars buy. In politics, power is the motive. How is it really beneficial to society to give more power to the political class?

5. Many arguments are made about the budget deficit, the debt ceiling, and other financial matters where politicians clearly don't want to play by the economic laws the rest of us must follow. What makes them different, and why are their rules unique?

6. We have repeatedly seen "government shutdowns" where approaching the debt limit results in the suspension of government services until more debt is allowed. Do you really want your medical care or anything else essential to be another pawn in this game? Does the political class need yet another carrot and stick it can wield to demand your compliance?

7. Government legislation turns innocent people into "criminals" every day. The courts and cops are notoriously arbitrary and abusive in enforcing legislation, especially impacting poor and minority communities. Government has waged immoral and unnecessary wars across the globe for decades. Government has subsidized, protected, and bailed out corporate cronies over and over. Politicians are notorious liars, and the adverse psychological effects of authority are well understood. Why do you still trust this system at all for anything?

I've taken civics classes, listened to political speeches, read the philosophy of many political theorists, and I remain unconvinced by the answers to any of these questions. Am I wrong? There are seven entirely rational questions above for you to answer. Please do that before accusing me of hating society, roads, children, old people, minorities, education, medical care, security, puppies, or anything else.

See my Class Theory post for parallel thoughts on current political debates.