If “We the People” do not wisely and consistently control the size and scope of our government, it will surely control us in ways never intended when such power was first delegated to it. Over time, the lines between local, state and federal governments have become so blurred that we can scarcely tell where one begins and another ends. And yet, one taxpayer can only handle so much. There is a finite limit to how much can be piled on.
Stop and think of everyone who has your checkbook and your credit card – Washington D.C and your state capitol and all their many departments and administrative entities, the County, the City, the sewer district, the school district and on and on. Each has the power to impose and collect taxes. Then the combined bill ultimately falls on each individual taxpayer with no single taxing entity caring much what the total bill may be. Still, we expect our elected representatives to care and protect us but do they? Clearly, government overlap, waste, duplicity and inefficiency steal the just rewards of labor from the laborer. Where is the incentive to work, save, dream and invest when heavy taxes and runaway government spending leave citizens feeling helpless and hopeless?
“The blessings of liberty” secured by our Constitution promise better treatment. Of course, it could always be worse. As Will Rogers wryly commented: “It’s a good thing we don’t get all the government we pay for.” Even so, citizens who work together and push for principled government never let go of the ideal. We continually strive for what was intended and what is right and not merely what has evolved.
Consider the wisdom of Thomas Jefferson who astutely described the narrow focus of national, state, county and city governments and the residual power reserved by the people themselves.
“The way to have good and safe government is not to trust it all to one; but to divide it among the many, distributing to every one exactly the functions he is competent to. Let the National government be entrusted with the defence of the nation, and its foreign & federal relations; the State governments with the civil rights, laws, police and administration of what concerns the state generally; the Counties with the local concerns of the counties, and each Ward [city or town] direct the interests within itself. It is by dividing and subdividing these republics from the great National one down thro’ all its subordinations, until it ends in the administration of every man’s farm and affairs by himself; by placing under one what his own eye may superintend, that all will be done for the best.”
If we do not control our government and hold it accountable directly to the people at every level, the voice of restraint will be nothing more than a hollow cry in a wilderness of indifference. That must never be.
The media recently reported the degree to which Utah and other states receive more in Federal funds than what their citizen’s pay in federal taxes. It was described as “getting more bang for our buck” on the assumption we have all accepted the liberal premise of using taxes to “redistribute wealth.” I trust we have not. If the goal is to selfishly work the system and reward those politicians who “bring home the pork”, we are far far away from what America truly believes and represents. Otherwise, why not simply raise taxes through the roof and work the spread. Obviously, that is not what we want but that is where the principle leads if we allow the status quo to continue unchecked.
“What the eye may superintend,” said Jefferson. Can the federal government see and understand a classroom or a small business in Utah? Hardly, but that does not slow them down or keep them from imposing a sea of regulation and unfunded mandates. How goes the “administration of every man’s farm and affairs by himself?” Not well because he is not allowed to do it himself. Ronald Reagan stirred the hope of a better way when he spoke of making government work – “work with us, not over us, stand by our side, not ride on our back.” He also said, “Government is the people’s business, and every man, woman and child becomes a stakeholder with the first penny of tax paid.” When we think and act like “stakeholders” and not as “mere passengers” – principled government takes over and politics must step aside.
Posted by: LaVar Christensen