The American Way of Life (Part 25 of 28)
Part 25: of a 28-part series
Sometimes it is said that man cannot be trusted with the government of self. Can he then be trusted with the government of others, or have we found angels in the form of kings to govern him? Let history answer this question. (Thats a wonderful Thomas Jefferson quote.)
In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem. Government is the problem. From time to time, weve been tempted to believe that society can become too complex to be managed by self-rule, that government by an elite group is superior to government for, by and of the people. But if no one among us is capable of governing himself, then who among us has the capacity to govern someone else? (Thats another twist on Thomas Jeffersons quote, by Ronald Reagan.)
I want to make a point with this quote. The order and transfer of authority as called for in the Constitution takes place, as it has for almost two centuries, and few of us stop to think how unique we really are. In the eyes of many in the world, this every-four-year ceremony we accept as normal is nothing less than a miracle.
Why is the Presidency not as significant as it is in other nations? Because we care for the government closest to home. We have a structure that is a cushion against tyranny. Were confident. We are secure in the way that weve been set up, so that no President can come in and become a king or a dictator without breaking down the structure.
To be continued...
Sometimes it is said that man cannot be trusted with the government of self. Can he then be trusted with the government of others, or have we found angels in the form of kings to govern him? Let history answer this question. (Thats a wonderful Thomas Jefferson quote.)
In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem. Government is the problem. From time to time, weve been tempted to believe that society can become too complex to be managed by self-rule, that government by an elite group is superior to government for, by and of the people. But if no one among us is capable of governing himself, then who among us has the capacity to govern someone else? (Thats another twist on Thomas Jeffersons quote, by Ronald Reagan.)
I want to make a point with this quote. The order and transfer of authority as called for in the Constitution takes place, as it has for almost two centuries, and few of us stop to think how unique we really are. In the eyes of many in the world, this every-four-year ceremony we accept as normal is nothing less than a miracle.
Why is the Presidency not as significant as it is in other nations? Because we care for the government closest to home. We have a structure that is a cushion against tyranny. Were confident. We are secure in the way that weve been set up, so that no President can come in and become a king or a dictator without breaking down the structure.
To be continued...
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