Normally, government operates by monopoly. That is, government takes your money and it decides what you re going to get for it. That s not very empowering for you. You ve lost your money and you ve lost every ounce of decision-making power. If we have competition in the provision of services there will be some accountability at least to see if the service provides a good service and does it at a good price.
Empowerment is about government being the people s servant.
America is a republic. This means governance where the power of government is not used in the service of a dictator or even, for that matter, for a majority. Rather, in a republic the power of government is to be used to secure the property of each individual in their life, their liberty and in the fruit of their labor. That s the classical idea on which our country was founded. Government is restricted here to empower you to have the freedom to be happy.