The Proper Role of Government

God created us with unalienable rights.  These rights, as the great philosopher John Locke explained, are “life, liberty, and property.”  Government exists only to secure and safeguard these rights.  It is therefore proper for the government to maintain a national military as well as police forces to protect against the losses of life, liberty, and property.  But when the federal government proceeds to think it knows best for me, to regulate what my children learn in school; and to force me to buy health care; it has obviously overstepped its bounds.  Not only are these things blatantly unconstitutional, but also any wise person knows that problems are best solved at the lowest level possible.  A parent knows best how to teach and care for their children.  It is a firm principle that the smallest level that can possibly undertake a task is the one that should do so.  This concept of local self-government implemented by the founders in great measure originated from the government that was instigated by Moses for the children of Israel.  Another issue is the idea that the redistribution of wealth is a necessary use of government.  But think about it.  Would you go into your neighbor’s house and take his things?  Of course you wouldn’t.  If you did he would do with you what he wished, and you would be punished for breaking the law.  Yet this is precisely what the redistribution of wealth is.  Taking from one person and giving to another what he does not deserve and could not have gained without committing a crime.  Bastiat called this “legal plunder.”  In conclusion government is necessary. But only as it stays within it’s constitutional bounds.  We as a people must work to make government as limited as possible so that we may have maximum freedom.