Legislators are corrupted by power and so should not be trusted to build a "better society".
This is the very definition of America.
"... if your starting point is a limited government restricted to the protection of life,liberty, and property"
But is that the only purpose of government? JUST the "protection of life,liberty, and property"?
"All free governments are instituted for the protection, safety, and happiness of the people. All laws, therefore, should be made for the good of the whole."
See http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/gen_assembly/RiConstitution/C01.htm
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
See http://www.house.gov/Constitution/Constitution.html