What do we want

I'm failing to come up with a comprehensive post that explains what government is for. As a citizen, I would like to know that my food and water are safe. Working, I want a certain level of safety. I would like to have confidence in a bridge that I drive over. When I need medical care I don't want to wonder if it is profitable to treat my problem. This is the main philosophical issue we face today: is government the way to solve problems (liberal view) or is government the problem (conservative view).
Please comment.
"government of the people, by the people, for the people"