[wing-_-nuts]

>a government's responsibility is to ensure peace and prosperity for as many of its citizens as possible.

I've never seen the US government behave as if this was a priority. Perhaps things are different in a nordic country?

[mannanj]

Yes. Perhaps the OP was speaking from a dream or a theory standpoint. We know our government in the US has lost its original intent.

[LastTrain]

Yes, believe it or not some of still believe in this and vote accordingly. Aspirational, as it has always been, with the understanding that we will always fall short.

[mxkopy]

It has been a priority, but only for a certain group of citizens (which only briefly became unfashionable to legislate for explicitly)