Anyway, yeah, do some reading about why governments were first created. Basically, they were created to bring year long water supplies to communities that couldn't build the complex and difficult irrigation systems by themselves.
Oh, and Pontifex --at least according to john gager, elaine pagels and peter brown, the leading scholars on this stuff-- was the title originally given to the dude responsible for the bridges over the tiber and the aqueduct system delivering water to rome. Interestingly enough, yes, when the water system brought by the aqueducts fails to work, citizens might well respond to the failure of the government by relying on the private sector to sell them water bottles.
i thought that your basic statement was historically wrong, and while you might want to reduce the role of government to fit a particular viewpoint,it is my opinion that a firm understanding of the historical forces enjoined in creating government would be useful in discussing how Mr. Buffet chose to donate his money to Mr.&Mrs. Gates' foundation rather than to the Mellenium Challenge Corporation (the US gov'ts version).
I did not seek to marginalize your opinion, I simply believe that any understanding of the role of government that does not include water supply is wrong. Having worked to found a private municipal water supply, my experience is that anybody who seeks such a thing is crazy. There aren't any in the USA and its for a very good reason.
I have really missed discussions with self-satisfied patronizing assholes. thanks for making my day.