The answer to what ails us is … us.
Oh, we can say it is the fault of politicians — and we’re not wrong — but turning to the cause of a problem for its solution is … problematic at best.
Our politics is a tug-of-war, in part, between those wanting government to do ever more for us (by taking more from someone else) and those skeptical that such “solutions” supply much more than ever-more problems.
The Big Government crowd sports the opposite skepticism: Where’s the guarantee that “the private sector” will take care of folks? They assume government does provide a guarantee … like No Child Left Behind.
Meanwhile, advances do get made.
Throughout my life I’ve had the privilege to work with political activists whom I deeply respect. These “liberty initiators” work tirelessly to make government better, to right wrongs, to institute justice and the sort of transparent, ethical and limited government that’s consistent with a free and decent society.
Just as adults nurture their children, these citizens nurture their communities, their states, their country — as well as taking care of their children, their parents, their businesses.
Last week, an Arkansas woman took a day off work to join hundreds of fellow citizens in gathering petition signatures for term limits at the primary in Arkansas. I have a lot more faith in her and other responsible individuals than I do in far-off federal bureaucracies.
“The character inherent in the American people has done all that has been accomplished,” wrote Thoreau in Civil Disobedience, “and it would have done somewhat more, if the government had not sometimes got in its way.”
This is Common Sense. I’m Paul Jacob.
Common Sense Needs Your Help!
Please consider showing your appreciation by dropping something in our tip jar (this link will take you to the Citizens in Charge donation page… and your contribution will go to the support of the Common Sense website). Maintaining this site takes time and money. Your help in spreading the message of common sense and liberty is very much appreciated!
Photo credit: Cary Bass-Deschenes on Flickr
3 replies on “Adults for America”
Paul, I agree with you 100 percent. Just wondering if you’ve ever read Imprimis published by Dr. Arnn, president of Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, MI. He thinks totally like you and I do. Hillsdale will not accept any government money and will not allow any students to have a government grant or loan. That;s because Dr. Arnn and everyone else at the college does NOT want the government telling them how and what to teach. Imprimis is free to anyone by going on the college’s website. The college also has free online courses on the Constitution and numerous other subjects that should be of interest to your readers and followers. Think how much better all of our schools and colleges would be if we could just get the government out of them so the local boards could run them the way they see fit rather than teaching what the government says they MUST teach in the way the say things MUST be taught so they can get government money. And look these government funds are doing to the colleges. The more $$$ they get from the government, the higher tuition goes, something that I can’t quite understand. Keep up your good work. I’ve been one of your backers for a long time. Lyle R. Rolfe in Aurora, Il.
The first priority of government at all levels is to take care of itself. The people are simply something government has to deal with in order to achieve the first priority.
Eloquent and elegant, Paul. Thanks for reminding us of the ‘character of the American people accomplishing all that is worthwhile in our country.’ It recalls, too, the notion that so many in our POD (perceptual-emotional, objective-knowledge dismissal) Syndrome world seem to have: that without an act of government, people would not know how to tie their shoes. — bw