Read the passage. The fruits of the toil of millions are boldly stolen to build up colossal fortunes for a few, unprecedented in the history of mankind; and the possessors of those, in turn, despise the republic and endanger liberty. From the same prolific womb of governmental injustice we breed the two great classes—tramps and millionaires.

–Omaha Platform of the Populist Party, 1892

According to the Populist Party, what is the purpose of government?
A. to exercise limited power and enforce only laws that advance the cause of liberty with minimal government interference
B. to protect the rights of the weak against the power of the strong through active redistribution of wealth from rich individuals to poor individuals
C. to seize control of private corporations and establish a fully socialist economy
D. to expand its power to shift utilities for the public good to public ownership and regulate private corporations to reduce oppression and poverty