fighting fires

You mean the forest fires that grow more numerous and larger each year because of global warming, drought and dying forests? Oh yes, keep up the good work, government.

regulating drug and food quality

The result of which is the highest domestic pharmaceutical prices in the world and sawdust being considered a food additive?

protecting... with the military and police

Invasion of Iraq has made me feel sooooo secure. As to the last time I called 911, my wife had just returned home from hospital surgery and began bleeding out. Our son opened the front door and waited on the porch to usher in medical personnel. What I got was two cops who entered, saw me applying a compress to stem the bleeding, pulled guns and ordered me to step away. Fortunately a neighbor who is a nurse rushed in, took over the compress and tried to tell the police the situation as they put me face to the wall and handcuffed me. If I had been black, they probably would have shot me.

maintaining industrial standards

What industry? I haven't noticed any lately.

building roads

for property developers and shopping malls

negotiating with other governments is nothing?

oh no, our arms sales to Saudi Arabia are far from nothing.