Government has a pervasive impact on modern life. We awaken to a radio alarm where the signal is sent over regulated airwaves. We shower with water provided by the water agency which in most areas is at least quasi governmental. We ride to work on government regulated roads and go to government paid for (or subsidized) schools. You get the point. Many people think that government is too involved in our lives but their goal is eliminate government at the margins- getting it out of regulating health care for instance. There is no serious advocates for ending public schools or social security or Medicare, all of which in years past were provided privately and all of which were very contentious issues when they were first proposed.
The change towards the ubiquity of the state has a real connection to postal service and philately. Until about 1800, governments around the world saw their goal as providing military might to protect the state and police power to protect property rights. As commerce began to be the major way that wealth was produced (rather than agricultural rents which had been the basis of wealth since antiquity) communication began to be of critical importance to increasing commerce and wealth. Only a strong state could deliver postal communications with regularity and safety. As people saw the advantages of the state providing services that benefited all and which none could provide for themselves, the attitude towards state services slowly changed. Public schools were next with the conservatives in fierce opposition. Postal Service was one of the first battles and it helped move the lines between state provided services and those that individuals should provide for themselves. The health care debate is just a continuation of this centuries long struggle and stamps are the material object representing a service that the state provides better than most individuals can provide for themselves.
The change towards the ubiquity of the state has a real connection to postal service and philately. Until about 1800, governments around the world saw their goal as providing military might to protect the state and police power to protect property rights. As commerce began to be the major way that wealth was produced (rather than agricultural rents which had been the basis of wealth since antiquity) communication began to be of critical importance to increasing commerce and wealth. Only a strong state could deliver postal communications with regularity and safety. As people saw the advantages of the state providing services that benefited all and which none could provide for themselves, the attitude towards state services slowly changed. Public schools were next with the conservatives in fierce opposition. Postal Service was one of the first battles and it helped move the lines between state provided services and those that individuals should provide for themselves. The health care debate is just a continuation of this centuries long struggle and stamps are the material object representing a service that the state provides better than most individuals can provide for themselves.