"In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem....Now, so there will be no misunderstanding, it is not my intention to do away with government. It is, rather, to make it work- work with us, not over us; to stand by our side, not ride on our back. Government can and must work to provide opportunity, not smother it; foster productivity, not stifle it." These thoughts from Ronald Reagan's first inaugural address are often overlooked. What Reagan was emphasizing was that by 1981, government over-regulation and intrusion into the economy had caused, in large measure, the double digit inflation, unemployment and interest rates the country was experiencing. But Reagan also knew that government did have a role- to get out of the way of the people by pursuing policies that remove governmental barriers to our creativity, ingenuity, sponaneity and personal responsibility.

People are angry and upset this summer largely because they see our federal government headed in the opposite direction- more governmental intrusion into the economy and our personal lives, more federal spending and taxes, and higher deficits. People understand that this course of action threatens them and the future of their children. Just this morning in the news is alarming information that the president's own people now estimate that the cumulative federal deficit over the next decade (2010-2019) will actually be two trillion dollars higher than originally estimated. This means a cumulative $ 9 trillion deficit instead of $ 7 trillion. People know that this unacceptable level of debt will literally suck the life out of the economy and any chance for individuals and small businesses to be creative in pursing opportunities that lead to quality jobs and life.



Ironically, former Senator Bob Kerrey (D-Nebraska), predicted in the fall of 2008 that "the primary threat to the success of a President Obama will come from some Democrats who, emboldened by the size of their Congressional majority may try to kill trade agreements, raise taxes in ways that will destroy jobs, repeal the Patriot Act and spend and regulate to high heaven." [as quoted in "Nebraska Liberal, New York Reactionary," by Bari Weiss, The Wall Street Journal Weekend edition, July18-20, 2009]. This overeaching by the Democratic Congress has now come to fruition in terms of their "stimulus" package (full of wasteful earmarks), ill conceived proposed health care reforms and bloated proposed 2010 budget. This overreaching rightfully creates fear and concern in the American people. Instead of seeing a President and Congress making government actually work to improve opportunities for them by creating a leaner, more efficient limited government, people see a President and Congress out to fulfill their own partisan goals by growing the federal government regardless of the damage done to the long term well being of the country.



Sarah Palin, when she ran for governor of Alaska, stated that, "I want an efficient, accountable government to provide basic services." ["Sarah Studies," by Bradley Smith, National Review, August 24, 2009, page 32]. This is what the American people expect and deserve- an efficient, accountable limited government. Even Bill Clinton got it right in his second inaugural address when he stated "We need a new government for a new century- humble enough not to try and solve all our problems for us, but strong enough to give us the tools to solve our problems for ourselves; a government that is smaller, lives within its means and does more with less."



The keys to a healthy America are government policies and individual goals that foster the American spirit- which is the spontaneous individual pursuit and expression of liberty, freedom, equality, justice, creativity, generosity, ingenuity and personal responsibility. Only a humble, efficient limited federal government will empower the American people to provide innovative solutions to the challenging issues of our time.