Liz Cope and Scott Allegrini
The divisions facing America today are the greatest of our generation. At the core of this division is the question: Is man capable of ruling himself?
We, as a unified nation, have to answer this question, and determine the direction America will take and the country we want to leave to the future.
What do we mean by “ruling himself ”? Bythis phrase we mean the desire to control and define one’s own destiny regardless of demographic. From the earliest age, to be encouraged to seek success and take pride in personal achievements. To govern the mind and body, rather than rely on another. To take advantage of equal opportunities, rather than expecting others to supply equal outcomes. To rely on self.
If we believe man is not capable of ruling himself, and does not desire these things, then from cradle to grave man will need a big government to provide for and, thereby, controlhim. Because when the government provides, it can also take away. When the government can take away something a man needs, or wants or values, he loses his independence.
Recently, President Obama, on his campaign website, introduced “The Life of Julia,” a slideshow portraying how Obama’s policies could help a woman throughout her lifetime. It began with Julia going to Head Start, then progressing through public school and on to college. The president ensures that she will get “birth control and preventative care, letting her focus on her work rather than worry about her health.”
The story goes on and on, telling us all the wonderful things that Julia can do, without worry, because of the numerous government programs that provide for her every step of the way. The implication is that none of these things would be possible without the government, and specifically, Obama.
But worse, the message is that Julia isn’t capable of doing for herself. She is deficient in some way, and needs constant care and assistance. The slide show does not, however, point out that government “help” also comes with real costs.
The U.S. is $16 trillion in debt and even if the rich were taxed at 100 percent of income, the bill could not be paid. And so, the burden will fall on the next in line — the middle class. The ones who pay for the programs but don’t qualify for them; the ones who say to their kids, “We can’t afford it,” but watch as debt after debt is piled on at the federal level.
This path for America is bankrupt both financially and morally, but under Obama’s vision, this is where America is headed.
Conservatives have a different philosophy.
Conservatives believe that man is capable of rulinghimself, and, like our Founding Fathers, believe that his rights consist of “Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness,” not excessive entitlement programs. We believe many Americans are afraid to try, because they are afraid to fail.
But failure is the greatest teacher. Thomas Edison failed while inventing the light bulb hundreds of times, but each failure was a lesson that brought him one step closer to success. Apple has invented and launched numerous products that have flopped, only to learn from those failures and go on to create global winners like the iPod and iPad.
We also believe that some Americans do not choose to try, because they don’t have to. With the big government programs we have today, and more on the way, there is little incentive. What would you rather do? Struggle, do without and work long hours while you invent a product or launch a new business, or collect a check?
If you replaced the word “government” with “parent,” what would you want your kids to do? Sit on your couch and eat the food you worked to provide, or get a job and pay for their own lives?
Following the belief that man can manage himself is the desire for limited government.
Like a meddling in-law or controlling parent, too much government is oppressive. Some government is good and necessary, such as police and fire forces, or military for national defense and border patrol, but other interventions, such as health care, need to be weighed carefully before they become an obstacle to freedom.
This November, Americans have a choice: the government-run “Life of Julia” or the personally managed life and destiny. A government “of the people” and “for the people” that rewards self-reliance, or a government of entitlement?
We choose freedom — freedom to build our lives with our own hands; freedom that encourages individuals to become anything they dare to be. And this is the America we hope others will choose and our future will inherit.
