How Can The Government "Own" Something - It's Not A Person

I can understand that there are certain things that are the "property" of the government, such as military items which are in the inventory... but these really are the property of the taxpayers.

Why does it seem more and more that it is the government vs. the people? It's as though we are at odds... even though the government is supposed to comprise of the American people. So why would we be secretive and antagonistic against ourselves, unless what is really happening is a war between two factions?

Why are there so many land grabs lately that the government keeps taking. What about all of the "secrets", which are possessed by the government, but not allowed to be viewed or known to the public, and always under the umbrella of "national security"? When the heck do the people get to know what was purchased with our tax dollars at area 51? Don't we have a right to know?

Taking our money by force, using the IRS, then spending it on secrets does not sound remotely like democracy to me.

And I don't feel one bit safer knowing that the government we pay for is keeping so many secrets from us, regardless of whether or not they tell us it is for "our own good".

WE OWN THIS KNOWLEDGE - WE PAID FOR IT.

Discuss...

According to the Constitution (Article 1, Section 8, Clause 17--Powers of Congress)...

To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings;

...Congress does have limited powers to obtain land, limited for certain purposes & only under agreement with the State which grants such land to the Federal Government. This includes providing such Civil Services as "needful buildings," such as Post Offices, Public Utilities & Public Roads, etc. but does not include granting ownership of such lands to private corporations (leasing such lands to corporations that provide Civil Services is allowed though, since this would provide additional funding for the government).

However, your assessment that it's "Government vs. People" is correct & widely discussed in detail in pretty much this whole website...

[edit on 10-5-2008 by MidnightDStroyer]