Should the Government Govern at All?

Personally, I believe the answer is yes.
When Thoreau said, "that government is best which governs the least," he stated his opinon that the most successful governments prove to be ones who make as little interference with the people as possible. I am not entirely sure I agree.
I believe this quote could be looked at from a few different perspectives.
For one, it can be viewed in regards to dictatorship. Obviously, in cases like that of Hitler's, there is a time when the government can be altogheter far too involved with the people. With these scenarios in mind, Thoreau's quote might make all kinds of sense. The government should back off and let the people handle it, because when one person gets too power hungry, an entire nation can pay for it.
However, it is quite blantatly clear that not ever case is that of Hitler's. I believe that, without taking it too far, the government can steer the country in a better direction. There are so many people in each nation, all with different viewpoints and different drives. It would be near impossible to work it all out on our own. The government remains very neccessary.
The government should remain active and apparently in the lives of the people, but only to the extent of which it is necessary, beneficial, and appropriate.