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"Publius II" hearkens back to the spirit of liberty
contained within our Constitution. In this document, the important but
LIMITED roles of the Federal Government are spelled out. Of even greater
significance is the Constitution's preservation of individual rights and
freedoms. "The Federalist Papers" provide a clearer understanding of these
two important concepts. Even so, we have only to look at the present
political situation of the United States to see how far removed we are
from these fundamental constructs. Every working American offers up 40,
50, and even 60 percent of what s/he earns in taxes to local, state, and
Federal governments. Our Federal Government is in debt to the tune of over
five trillion dollars. Gradually, inexorably, our personal freedom
diminishes under the weight of regulation, mandates, Executive Orders,
and legislation. The Bill of Rights, every citizen's guarantee of freedom,
is under assault by forces that seek to "protect" us by increasing the
power and scope of government in our lives.
Deep study of these "Federalist Papers" reveals both
implied and directly stated roles and responsibilities
for the citizens of
this nation. The Founders of the United States believed in the rights of
the individual, and in the idea that all governmental authority MUST come
from the people governed. Several of the "Federalist" essays go so far as
to mention the possibility of citizens to take whatever means necessary
to dissolve government if it becomes tyrannical. And yet, we have reached
a point in our history where less than half of registered voters cast ballot
s in elections. Many citizens, caught up in the daily effort to work, to
raise a family, and to simply make ends meet, are unaware of the activities
of those who govern. A Representative Republic such as the United States
works only when its citizenry is responsible, informed, politically active,
and vigilant. Otherwise, those who govern grow distant from the will of the
people, and the risk of corruption is increased exponentially. Some of our
citizens have become cynical towards the political process, feeling poorly
represented, ignored, and powerless to effect change.
During the last century, we have looked increasingly to government
to solve our problems. Indeed, we have been enticed to look in that
direction by promises of vast government resources (more commonly known as
tax revenue) with which to solve virtually any social problem. The record
of government, however, as a catalyst for change and as a financial
manager, is poor. Some sources state that over five trillion dollars
(an ironic figure, when one regards the National debt) have been spent on
numerous social programs since the 1960's. The return on this "investment"
of taxpayer dollars? More poverty. More crime. More unwed pregnancy. More
addiction. Let us admit the ineffectiveness of government and return to
ideas so simple as to seem almost naive.
Can we contemplate, perhaps, an examination of those values and
ideals upon which this nation was founded? Qualities such as personal
responsibility, honesty, integrity, individual accountability,
self-discipline, charity, and reverence can be considered as elements
crucial to the revitalization of America. Can the skeptic convincingly
argue that much of our present social and cultural deterioration is due
to anything BUT the erosion of these core values? Any citizen need only to
peruse the news of the day to note the sad consequences of moral dilution.
The solution to this is not more expenditure of taxpayer money. To channel
tax revenue through a wasteful bureaucracy, in order to apply the
remaining funds to problems that are essentially MORAL in nature, is
misdirected and counter-productive.
Let us consider the inherent power and wisdom of "We the People".
We cannot continue to ignore OUR responsibilities as citizens. We must
become informed, aware, and motivated to act, if our beloved Republic is
to survive. We have alternately trusted and blamed government for too
long. Every citizen is invited to rise to the challenge of becoming
well-versed in the history of our Nation's founding, and to learn more
about the issues of the day, as a precursor to change.
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