Libertarian ish

From a Malcolm Gladwell niblet in the September 4 ish of The New Yorker:

But making a fetish of personal accountability conveniently removes the need for institutional accountability. (We court-martial the grunts who abuse prisoners, not the commanding officers who let the abuse happen.) To acknowledge that the causes of our actions are complex and muddy seems permissive, and permissiveness is the hallmark of an ideology now firmly in disgrace.

I do admit I am confused and concerned regarding the continuum between personal and governmental responsibility. Yes, individuals should be responsible for their own damn selves, but the government is also responsible for a certain network of services, no? The government must provide things like education, etc., yes?

The question is, of course, and of all time, is to what point? At one point has the gubmint does its job? How much do individuals owe the club in terms of membership dues (read: taxes)?

I don't know the answers to these things. I've decided to put off figuring 'em out until the post-breeding chapter in my life, when I'll turn my duties toward the world of civic duty.