COLUMN: The proper role of government
In our republic, we are faced with many crucial decisions. There are many candidates and many issues. It is easy to get confused and frustrated unless we base our decisions on the sound principles taught and lived by our nation’s founders.
The Declaration of Independence, which established the foundation of our republic, teaches us much about government and its relationship to man. It lays out many fundamental principles that we must understand. Among those principles is the truth that men are “…endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights…” Among the rights granted to man by his Creator are those of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness (a vital component of which is private property). Men, in order to secure their rights, instituted government. The power of the government comes from the people themselves. Therefore, the government, since its power is derived from the people, cannot do that which the people themselves do not have the right to do.
Every time we urge our representatives in our government to do anything, we are in essence urging them to enact laws governing the conduct of ourselves and our fellow citizens. We also authorize them to carry out such measures that will ensure compliance, allowing government agents to use force to deprive those who do not comply of either their lives, their liberty or their property.
One temptation all must resist is that of taking property from one individual to give it to another. That is theft, no matter who does it. Most people would not even think of doing this themselves, but there are those who feel justified in asking the government to do so in their behalf.
A simple, but essential, principle must be applied when making decisions regarding government on any level – in our cities, our counties, our states or in the federal government. We each need to ask ourselves if we have the right to do that which we are requesting our government to do.
If, after asking ourselves this question, we still feel justified in requesting the government to carry out a certain action, we must ask ourselves which level of government is best equipped to do so. To do this, we need to determine what the closest level of government is that can handle the issue. That level of government is the one suited to take the requested measure.
When voting for a candidate or supporting a certain government action, we must remember that the Constitution explained exactly what the federal government was to do. The 10th Amendment further enforced this by stating, “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.” It was understood that this would afford to the citizens of the nation the greatest amount of freedom possible. It is necessary to seek out candidates who will adhere to this principle.
Let us not forget the words of George Washington, who said, “The power under the Constitution will always be in the people. It is entrusted for certain defined purposes, and for a certain limited period, to representatives of their own choosing; and whenever it is executed contrary to their interest, or not agreeable to their wishes, the servants can, and undoubtedly will, be recalled.”
Colby Lyons is a senior majoring in law and constitutional studies. Questions and comments can be sent to him at c.lyons@aggiemail.usu.edu.