Government Growth Strangles FreedomsFebruary 17, 2014Our forefathers inherited the freedoms of Englishmen – who after more than 450 years of off-and-on civil wars – finally established their freedom from oppression by their monarchs in 1688 (the Glorious Revolution), establishing three fundamental freedoms – representative government (Parliament), rule of law, not of men, and private ownership of property (capitalism). These freedoms have resulted in unprecedented economic growth and citizen well-being throughout the English- speaking world. However, they have been gradually eroded during the past 80 years as the U.S. government expanded its intrusion into American lives and accelerated during the last five years under President Obama. Almost every day we learn of government agencies and presidential executive orders exercising greater control over American life. “I think he (Martin Luther King) understood that health care, health security is not a privilege; it’s something that in a country as wealthy as ours, everybody should have access to,” said President Obama. “From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs,” said Karl Marx. Do you see any similarities? Marx was the father of socialism and “godfather” of Russian communism. Socialism leads to serfdom, enforced by totalitarianism – big government as F.A. Hayek explained in his 1944 book, “The Road to Serfdom.” I fear, as we allow our government to continue its phenomenal growth, we are forfeiting our inherited freedoms and are relying on the “Road to Serfdom.” It is time we citizens rein in our government and reassert greater control over our individual lives. Let our congressional delegation know that in spite of their good intentions, enlarging the thrust of federal government is not in the interest of protecting our inherited freedoms.
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