Government is absolutely necessary and small does not mean powerless. In a time of war I want the military to overwhelm our enemies with it’s power. When someone commits a crime against another there should be swift punishment. National sovereignty should be maintained at all costs and any threat against it’s citizens should be met with meaningful action.

The Bible speaks to the purpose of government in Romans 13:4. It says that government is “sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong.” Simply put, the government should establish laws that protect people and then go after the law breakers. The passage also says that the government should collect taxes and be respected by the citizens.

Instead of an exhaustive definition of the value of small government ( leave that to the academics), I will sum up the manifesto with three words – freedom, security, and economy. The United States, with all of it’s historical blunders, has led the world in these areas.

If humans were inherently good, there would be no need for laws or government programs. Mankind however,  leans toward evil and requires some civil action to survive chaos. The question is how much? Small government advocates believe in rules, but strives to keep them limited. It’s sad, but true,  some people will use their freedom to abuse others. This is why government exists.

Freedom is a wonderful thing, in spite of those bringing it shame. Small government supports individual, personal freedom. Progressives see big government as the only answer to social needs. They believe that without government intervention the disadvantaged will be left in the streets to die, the environment will be wrecked, and the military will be used to loot other countries. I believe just the opposite. A freer society will create a better society. A free people will produce more profit, more technology, do better at taking care of the poor, and build a cleaner and healthier world. Bigger government will lead to slower progress.

Security is the number one job of the federal government. If the government can’t stop threats from the outside, then everything else is futile. Weapons programs, immigration, and the global economy demand strong national leadership. Progressives try to make the security debate about seeing a doctor or having a retirement account. They would also give up national sovereignty to join the biggest government ever – a world government. In my book that is called surrender.

A strong economy is important for any nation. Small government proponents believe that the economy does better when controlled by the private sector. Big government supporters are spenders wanting more of the economy in the hands of the government. This is the issue with the tea party. The government should be in charge of policy not products.

In conclusion, the 10th Amendment says the federal government should be limited and let the states handle the bulk of issues. Why does the federal government give money to Alaska for a bridge? Every earmark represents a government too big.

It’s no wonder Tom Brokaw calls the people who lived through the Great Depression and the Great War as the greatest generation. It’s no surprise that these are the people who came up with the American dream. I am afraid we are losing that ideal today.

The American dream has always been about more. Today the dream seems to be about less. News reports constantly tell us that we are destroying the planet and must consume and do less. The rich are no longer cool. Getting rich through capitalism is deemed evil.

The original American dream centered around a belief in the individual. This belief held that if you worked hard, worked smart, were creative, and made wise choices you could do or be anything. That would be called selfish in our current culture. The dream today is more about community. Your first concern should be making sure everyone else has their basic needs met. The government’s job is now less about protecting equal opportunity and more about insuring equal provisions for all.

Past generations celebrated the winners in America. Now it seems almost embarrassing to hear about someone “pulling himself up by his bootstraps” to make it to the top. Today a reporter would ask that person who he had stepped on to make the business a success. His profit would be judged dirty and should be taxed heavily to pay for those less fortunate.

When my kids were taking history in high school, they were expected to read “A People’s History of the United States”, by Howard Zinn. Zinn, who passed away in Jan. 2010, was a well known academic historian and supporter of socialism. They read this along with their regular American history book. Zinn looked at history from a different angle. He told history from the perspective of the victims; Indians, slaves, women, and disadvantaged laborers. The villains throughout our history were the profit seeking white men.

Zinn has an impressive list of fans. Bruce Springsteen’s best selling album “Nebraska” was inspired by Zinn. Matt Damon is currently doing a series for the History Channel based on Zinn’s book. I am not a fan. To me it pours water on the American spirit. It denies the wonderful results that all Americans have experienced through others discovery, profit, and growth. I can’t deny the reality of weak and unfortunate people. A good society will do it’s best to provide for them.

Evolution and capitalism both teach that in life there are winners and losers. The Bible says “it rains on the just and the unjust” (Matthew 5:35). I have been both a winner and a loser. Losing can actually make us better people. But I will never remain a loser because I will always aspire for something more and better. When I win, others around me will win. When my kids win, I win. If we have enough individual winners in our communities, then all win.

Don’t let this trend toward nationalizing everything corrupt the heart of our nation. The whole world would be a loser if it were not for the profit and commitment of the United States. We will rise out of this economic mess through free markets, free thought, free speech, free worship, and freedom to be what we want and to make as much as we want.

Is there still an American dream? For my kids sake, I hope so.