A More Perfect Union

In the shadow of a looming Federal Government Shutdown, I would like to look at the roll of government.  Debate about federal authority  has lasted since the writing of the Constitution in 1786 and the signing in 1787.  Federalists led by Hamilton and Marshal debated at length with the Anti-federalists, led by Jefferson and Madison, about how strong the central government should be.  The debate rages on in the form of Republicans and Democrats.  In most cases, not all, the animosity of the left is equally matched by the ire of the right in this centuries old conflict.  But why do people join one party over the other?

When looked at the debate in this manner, we must realize that their are legitimate reasons to join either party.  We must strive for open and honest debate that does not make assumptions or personal attacks.  Too often our dialogue is emotional and irrational.  Government cannot be effective if fueled by partisan emotions, but rather by the creative compromises envisioned by the Founding Fathers.  Democracy will not work without compromise.  That is a lesson we are learning too often in our political environment and in the fledgling government of Iraq.

At the heart of the Republican idea is small government.  The smaller the government the more freedoms  the people will enjoy.  For every law that the government makes a little bit of liberty is taken away.  We all admit that some freedoms such as theft and murder must be taken away, but from thaat point on arguments begin.  Lower taxes and few, if any, government programs.  A true small-government Republican would call for the end of Welfare, Social Security, Medicaide, Medicare, IRS, Department of Education, etc.  In this version, the power of government is not at the federal level, but the State.

On the other hand, the Democratic idea is a bigger government.  Government must take care of the people.  Government aid programs are required by the constitution and are for the good of the people.  Because our federal programs cost money, our taxes cannot be so low because we will go into debt.  A true Democrat works for the continuation of these programs and the ability of the government to help the people.  Because we are one country the seat of power is at the federal level.

So maybe the differences between the parties really come down to individualism and community.  In the small government scheme, you are responsible for everything.  If you get into trouble, you must help yourself.  Personal responsibility is an important trait for all Americans, but according to Democrats sometime we need a little help.  Big government would focus on the health of the community, not just the individual.  Lend a helping hand to your neighbor who may be in trouble.  The majority of our Federal Programs began as a way to get out of the Great Depression.  Government assistance was needed to help those who lost their jobs.

I really do not like to frame the debate as "Government Good" versus "Government Bad".  But it seems as though it must be done.  To me, government is a place for people to come together.  People of all faiths, races and genders have the ability to choose the individual who controls their government.  Everyone should have a voice.  Everyone should be heard.  Government must ensure that minority voices be allowed with the majority.  "Whom among the 80% will look out for the 20%?"  Those in the majority have the duty to look after the rights of the minority, not infringe upon them or force their own belief system on them.  

Government can be a good thing, a helpful thing, when the right people are in control.  Your neighbor's welfare affects your life in many ways.  This goes all the way back to the beginning.  To understand what government must do, we should look at what the govenment has been ordained to do.  For this is still a government of the People, by the People, for the People:

"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."