For the average CITIZEN, the government may be your only friend.
2.4 million Americans in jail, most over nothing, most political prisoners if you think about it (mala prohibita) - and you think government is your friend?
"In order to be the master, the politician poses as the servant."
-- Charles de Gaulle
Those in government (whether "left" or "right") are not there for us. They are there for them. They work in their own self interest, just like everybody does. The only real problem, is that they have power.