As an exercise in contrasts think for a moment of the political atmosphere that prevailed on and around July 4, 1776. Now compare that image with today’s political atmosphere. Do you see a startling difference? If you don’t, shame on you! You haven’t been paying attention. In 1776 noble and self-sacrificing men and women were struggling desperately to throw off the shackles of tyranny and establish liberty in America. Today a great many of our political leaders, Republicans and Democrats alike, are doing just the reverse. They are taking away those hard-won liberties and replacing them with an ever-growing number of stifling federal bureaucracies and agencies, each one accompanied by a chocking array of incomprehensible regulations and controls. And while they are doing it, they keep insisting that the expensive and bloated new government they are creating for us is our dearest friend, something not to be feared but rather an innocuous power that wants only to do what is best for us. But think about it. Is being innocuous really an inherent and fundamental trait of government? George Washington certainly didn’t think so. “Government,” wrote Washington, “is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master.” That is why our Founding Fathers wisely wrote a constitution setting forth clearly defined limits on the power of government. That is why they created a form of government that distributed and balanced those carefully defined powers among three separate branches. They knew that governments, if not carefully watched and restrained, are likely to become mischievous and dangerous. Especially if all power is permitted to fall into the hands of one person or an elite few. Most surely we believe governments should on occasion provide help for their citizens. But if we the people are to continue being the strong backbone of our republic and remain free, as the Founders envisioned us to be, we must resist every government intrusion into our lives, especially those that come to us disguised as a helping hand. For every time we accept unsolicited and unneeded assistance from the government we are empowering it and weakening ourselves. And if we don’t stop, one day we will find ourselves overwhelmed by it. On this Fourth of July I challenge each of you to make your country stronger and better by becoming a stronger and better citizen, a citizen who can look after him or herself, as well as one who can look after those he or she is responsible for. If you are willing to do that, you will be exhibiting the finest and best qualities of a true patriot. And little by little, if we all work together, we can reestablish those cherished and hard-won liberties the Founders always wanted us to have. Happy Independence Day!
