"In Government America Must Trust" Yep, you read that correctly. Without me even telling you, you know that only a liberal Democrat, in this case William Galston, would ever write something like that. And, to be fair, not only write it, but actually believe it. Even passionately believe it. (Although one does wonder if he was ever moved to pen a similar piece during the Bush Administration.)
In the first place, that sentiment (sentimentality just has to be part of the explanation, doesn't it?) ignores completely the philosophical foundation upon which our system of government rests. James Madison, the Father of the Constitution, famously wrote, that "If men were angels, no government would be necessary." But as men are most definitely not angels and, therefore, need governing, the problem then is to construct a government, comprised of similarly non-angelic men, that can itself be controlled. Our whole system is built not on trust, but rather the lack of it.
Secondly, the sentiment flies in the face of years and years and years of experience to the contrary, and especially so of late. As a practical matter, you don't really need to know all that much about the how and the why of it, i.e., the philosophy. You just need to know that to place your trust in government is, well, foolish. How do you know this? Did I mention years and years of experience?
At a gun show years ago (yes, a gun show), there was, not surprisingly, a sign posted that read, "Love your country, but never trust your government." Speaking of sentiments, could it even be possible to express a more fundamentally American one than this? As I've written about before, many liberals stubbornly insist on conflating the state with the nation, the government with the people who authorize it. But, you see, the thing you should trust is not your government, but rather your own judgment in electing leaders who will best represent your and your country's interests. But even then, keep your eye on them. Better yet, every two, four, and six years, if not more often even than that, remind them that you're keeping your eye on them.
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Great blog. I couldnt agree more with your sentiment.You would think it is common sense to understand that having to form a government is at BEST, a necessary evil.
ReplyDeleteEven if a list of things the government has done well existed, which it most certainly doesnt, it does not change the fact that we are who we are today because of an inherent distrust of governing bodies.
American people should be like a parent who nervously hands over the keys of the family car to their teenager, the government. This is whats crazy to me about liberals who trust the government. We have seen them wreck the car consistently and somehow they still think we should trust them, even MORE. I guess thats why liberal teens suck too.
Thank you David. A government not of men, but of adolescents? Explains a lot, doesn't it?
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