Editor, Times-Union: Kudos to the editor for his Saturday News Views. I also feel that both major parties are much too divided along party lines.
What really needs to happen is for Indiana, and every other state, to demand that Washington, D.C. get out of our business. New Jersey Governor Christie set a great example by refusing federal funding for infrastructure because of the burden (strings) attached. Each state in its own right is sovereign for “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people” – 10th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. This separation of powers has been usurped, primarily through the courts and their liberal (abusive) interpretation of the Commerce Clause, found in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution.
Americans need to start speaking up. They can only do this from a rational and intelligent foundation from which to speak. If one doesn’t know our history and the principles upon which our Constitution was built, how can they make a reasoned argument?
I submit that they can’t and will fall back to the standard foundation, used by most political hacks, of basing their argument on either emotion or self-interest. We must start putting community, state and country ahead of our own self-interest. Many who read this will think that I’m just “blowing smoke”. By all means, do not take my word for it. Read the Constitution yourself. Read the private letters of Jefferson, Franklin, Adams, Hamilton and the other Founders.
I would also suggest that many of our elected officials count on our ignorance to hold their office. John Adams said it best: “Liberty cannot be preserved without general knowledge among the people”.
We began as a nation of patriot farmers. Hard working folk who expanded our country from one ocean to another. We did not do so in a manner that was acceptable to all, seldom is that possible. However, we, or rather our ancestors, did it by the sweat of their brow.
Today? Today we are a nation of “Me, me, me”. We need to cut spending, just not spending that will affect me! We need to reduce (or eliminate) subsidies, just not mine! It is time for Americans to grow up, become informed, and get involved. Unless we do, our economy, then our country, will continue to free-fall. History is replete with examples. It is the height of naiveté for Americans to believe it cannot happen to us.
