Wednesday, July 09, 2008

What Powers Does Government Have?

I like when I read something and it ignites the ole mind. Sometimes it ignites an idea inside of me that has absolutely nothing to do with what I read. I also like talking to people.

The other day a coworker of mine shared how he was tired of all the junk going on politically and how he wanted something to be done about it. I agreed.

I wonder how much politically is just hot air and how much will actually affect me and my family. I recently-ish became a dad for the first time. Wow what an awesome experience. My new child with my beautiful wife has made me happier than I could have ever imagined. I love more than I have ever loved. I thank my Heavenly Father.

Is the moral fabric of this country falling apart because people want it that way or because the majority isn't doing anything about it? Can they do anything about it?

All those thoughts are mostly independent in context but to me tie to what the title of this post is and what I'm going to write about next. What powers does government have?

I have recently read an article that argued for what most people consider as political conservatism. It argued that government should only have the power to protect our rights to life, liberty, and property and that government should not (or could not rightfully) infringe upon one of those rights to supposedly fulfill one of the other rights. It also argued that government should be servant to the people and not the other way around.

Is that how it should be? If so should we be looking toward the government to fill all our needs or justify our desires, which appears to me to be the case today?

The founding fathers of the United States of America said our rights came from the Almighty. They also said that it was the government’s job to protect those rights.

It seems to me that it wasn't the government's job to decide what was right and what was wrong but to uphold the rights of each citizen that were not even ours to give or take from ourselves but given to each one of us by our Supreme Creator. I don't think government should decide what is right and what is wrong for the people it serves. Is this a correct train of thought?

In the end governments fall and governments rise. We as human beings are seeking the best way to govern ourselves. I just do not feel that the government is greater than those who create it. That leads me to what may well be my next post. The question of where do correct principles come from and where do they not come from. In other words what is right and what is wrong and what is the source?