Government is there to shuffle papers, maintain infrastructure and do the public's bidding. Not imprison and interfere with other people and countries.

damn. Now I feel uninformed and useful to society.

They're mentality is 'make an example of the smart or clever kids.' Punish (read: Cull) the smart ones out of the heard and you can graduate the ones that are easier to control.
The ones in charge, even if they don't realize it, don't want the clever/smart/innovative children to be doing anything they want. So get rid of the bad seeds so you can have the regular children undisturbed. One must tow the line and there is no room for anyone who is innovative, creative, and intelligent beyond that of the norm.