We began by talking about why we have government.  I tried to make a distinction between the philosophical issues that humans deal with in trying to form a government and the more practical issues.  My directions weren’t that clear, I guess, as kids struggled to separate the two positions, but we had a rich conversation nonetheless:

Philosophical : Why we do have a government?
KH:   We have a government because people are so power-hungry…VG:    Decisions can be made more efficiently.
AG:   Solve problems for communities…
JM:   I don’t know.
JY:   Making sure that they know their laws  (and what laws should there be?)  

Practical:  Why do we have a government? 
CG:   The government should solve problems.
How is government made?  How is government organized?
What makes government good?   Bad government?
Are some systems better than others?
CG:  How should government redistribute money?  Wealth?
How does government take care of everyone?
Who should benefit?
DW:  Redefine who receives benefits… and what benefits?
JY:  People aren’t taking the laws into their own hands.
How do we help people understand the laws?
How do people know the laws?
Who do the laws apply to?
JC: How do we share power?  People don’t want to be controlled?
KH: Where do taxes go? Powerhungry people…
How do we make a government that represents us?  Our interests?  MH:   How do we deal with corruption?   Inefficiency?
Rich people
GW:  Limited government —
How do we make sure people have rights?
MH:  How do we make and maintain a good government?
TN:   National disasters !! Puerto Rico…
KH:  What makes a good life?   How do we make the world better for everyone
AG:  Roads, lights, electricity, utility, upkeep… (Infrastructure)
MH:  Re-evaluation of Bill of Rights.
SJ:   Why can’t the US manage guns?
JC:   Should the government make our laws?   Should we make our own?  How should laws be made?
JY:  How should laws be changed?  (How are laws changed?  How should laws be changed?)
VG:  Should the government help with education?