Far too many people aren't able to properly conceptualize what good governance should really look like, let alone how it should properly function; but rather they have a strong tendency instead to believe that government is something that is separate and apart from the people, of which this government is also often unanswerable to them, and therefore a world onto its own. The point of good governance is the conscious recognition that government at its best, is competently represented by the people, through its duly elected representatives, which by open debate and lively discussion, creates appropriate legislation, that makes for good law, that in its effect promotes the general welfare of the people. So too, governments are necessary for the common defense of the people as well as often being the most appropriate source for the funding and subsequent building of necessary infrastructure for the benefit of those people.
When it comes to civil governance, perception does matter; of which, it would behoove the United States to put forth a more concentrated effort to impress upon its own people, that they need to be active, informed, and engaged participants with their government, along with its citizens having the clarity to know that governments are instituted among the people under their consent; thereby, essentially setting up what would be considered to be a covenant between the people and its government.
Those then, that are able to see their government as being a partner with them, in which, therefore each citizen has not only a say, but also has their unalienable rights, that are thereby protected, secured, and promoted by that government, makes for a construct in which the citizens feel more of an obligation to then do their fair part to be of assistance to their government, with the reassurance that in return, their government will be of aid and of value to them, for what they are so trying to achieve for the betterment of their lives.
In reality, good governance necessitates a two-way street, in which, meaningful civic duties and sacrifices are made by the people, in return for the advantages that come from the uniting of many people into that which makes for a good and stable society. So too, the point of taxation, is for those monies that are collected by the government, to be subsequently used for the necessary things, so needed, for the good functioning of society, as well as to also redistribute funds to those that are its most vulnerable. Additionally, laws are created, not as a means to oppress the people, but rather as a tool to encourage that which should be encouraged, and to discourage that which should be discouraged.
It would be far healthier for civil society, if it would readily come to the belief, that their government, really represents a covenant in which each party to that covenant has a necessary and vital role to play in it; for governments are meant to be of service to the people, and thereby answerable to those same people, on behalf of those people, so as to create a good union of, for, and by the people.