I think...

Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.

Can government become too helpful? Absolutely. Can it get too large? Absolutely.

The larger a government grows, and the more restrictions, laws, and expectations are placed on the people. These may be intended to increase our individual securities, but largely curb our personal liberties and rights, and are vastly unacceptable. Government is designed to serve two purposes. The first is to provide for our national security, the second is to ensure our personal liberties, rights, and freedoms. Nothing else.

The constitution was designed with these purposes in mind, to protect individuals from the might of the government. Any power not explicitly given to the national government in the constitution was reserved to the people and to the states. Over the years these principles have been lost as Congress and Presidents continually curbed power from the people to a large, beurocratic government. More and more restrictions were placed on lives and our freedoms were mortgaged for a sense of security. But how are we, and our freedoms protected from the government as it grows and becomes stronger?

I believe this is the intention of the bill of rights. It was meant to be strictly read, and defined, in order to protect every one of us from the possibility of tyrannical rule. Unfortunately we have allowed loose interpretations of this immensely important document in order to serve individual ends as government has grown to gargantuine proportions. The tenth amendment has been routinely ignored as the federal government gains more powers at the expense of the people and states. The Patriot Act has suspended rights guaranteed to us by the fourth and fifth amendments. Continuing restrictions on purchasing and owning arms have further impeded the second amendment. These being the LAST checks and balances against the united states government.

Without these checks, without these incentives for the government to listen to its subject, we are increasing the dangers of dictatorship and fascist ideas. I do not believe this is currently happening, but each time a new law, a new restriction, or interpretation of the bill of rights more vaguely defeines our constitution a precedent is sete for future generations to further endanger their own rights.

It is time for us, Americans, as citizens of freedom to reclaim our rights as citizens. We must force our congressmen to listen to us, we must vote for those who will stick up for our constitution, which must not be interpreted loosely at the danger of becoming government slaves. Watch carefully how your federal government acts, and be mindful of how you are influenced. It is time for you to stand up for your liberties, freedoms, and beliefs!