Demand more from yourself

To the Editor:

Don't you think it's time that we start thinking and communicating in a frank and truthful manner? I have found that I am getting overdosed on politics very fast this election season. This overdose is directly related to the utter lack of truth and honor by which we speak to each other. The average Joe has no idea who to believe, who to trust to convey to them why we are in the predicament we are in. I will attempt to put it simple right here and now.

America is great because we believe in liberty and small government. Our founders knew this, hence they created the constitution all based on their personal experience and 5,000 years of history, in which it became clear that none had ever had freedom. Out of the estimated 110 billion people who have ever lived, only about 500 million have ever had true liberty, and that is right here in America. We have this because we don't have kings, tyrants, dictators and up until the last 80 years we had small unobtrusive government. The founders knew that large government (tyrants, kings, monarchies) only cost the people more money to run them, and that they would crush the people with legislation, and in all their great and endless wisdom they would regulate the people and their liberties to the point where it looks just like our States and Nation do today.

It was a simple formula; I do what I want until it violates the rights of others. Not to darn complicated is it? Of course we do have to make common sense rules to keep others from abusing others rights or killing them, but up to that point, the government was to stay hands off.

Today, the state and federal governments regulate everything. Now of course all of this in the name of the people and the politicians say they do whats best for all the simple minded people who are not smart enough to know not to drink Drano because it may kill them and that doing so would be a use in defiance of federal laws. Laws to make sure I don't eat trans fats because that may kill me some day, or that I should wear a seat belt because they want to keep me alive or tell me I can't put a porch on my house without their permission. I personally and damn tired of anyone telling me whats best for me! Aren't you tired of this? Don't you say to yourself when you see something that someone is doing that you think is wrong or offends your delicate sensitivities, "there should be a law against that!" If you do, then its because you have been trained to think that way. There were 40,000 new laws created in this country last year.

We have been legislated to the point where there is not a thing that the government cant find to charge you for if they wanted to. Doesn't this concern you? Do you want some politician or another small minority of people in this country who just happen to be way more involved in this government than you to make laws, rules, Executive orders, or any other kind of guilt trip that limits your liberties or makes you feel guilty for having an opinion, no matter how unpopular? I am sick to death of it.

I saw a problem start about 12 years ago. I sold cell phones for 10 years, and I slowly became concerned that our toys, electronics, and other inconsequential interests had become By far more important that even the most basic civic duties. This is the truth. A combination of distractions, not educating the youth about America and what makes it great, and that no person can ever seem to tell who lying to them; we have become apathetic and pitifully unaware of the basic duties we have to maintain our freedom, and the respect for all the sacrifice that was made for all of us.

If you think that the rich don't pay enough, you are sadly uneducated; most of them pay 35-50% in income taxes, this is the truth. Whether you like it or not, 50% of Americans do not pay any taxes. In point of fact, many get an Earned Income Credit or Child Tax Credit. These "credits" are in fact a gift from the U.S. Treasury. These are not earned through paying taxes, they are solely for wealth redistribution, because the only requirement is that you are breathing or have kids, and that you pay no taxes. None of this would exist if politicians didn't need votes or wanted you to think for yourself.

Folks, you are being fed a line of crap if you think I should take responsibility for your bad choices, your lack of desire to work, your belief that rich people don't pay enough. A good politician is one that tries as hard as possible to avoid legislation, and only does so when absolutely necessary. A good politician keeps government small and off your back. A good politician is a short term politician. In short, we should see and hear from government only the smallest bit.

Your civic duties are basic. You must know the constitution well enough so that when government does something that is not constitutional, it should raise a red flag in your mind. You need to vote. You need to hold your leaders accountable, regardless of whether or not you like politics. You must teach your children about the greatness of America, and use original sources to get your information. You must make the security of this nation your concern. You must believe that we are great, and there are no limits to this greatness. In short, you must do what our founders thought a free and good people would do.

A last note here. My son's class at Dirigo High School was asked by their history teacher what the significance of the year 1776 was. My son was the only student who knew it was the year America was founded. This is disgusting. Demand more from yourself and others. Our founders expected greatness from us and we are failing.

Brad Dyer