Strong Government - Not Small Government

The first Black person to graduate from Harvard was W.E.B. Du Bois, in 1897. For his doctorate, he wrote the book, "The Suppression of the African Slave Trade to the United States of America 1638-1870" This book lists every law ever passed in America, in an attempt to restrict or end slavery. That is correct, as early as 1638, there were people aware of the immorality of slavery and were moved to take legal action against it. Sadly, it wasn't until the end of the American Civil War that slaves were set free in our country.

When looking back at the history of our country, I think it easy to understand why all these many attempts to end or suppress slavery failed. It was because the government of our country was not strong enough to enforce the laws it had enacted.

Today there are many people calling for the reduction of government, and they make many claims as to why. But it all sounds like excuses. Mostly, these people want government small enough, and weak enough that they may be able to do whatever they want uninhibited by laws. These people see that if allowed free access, they can make much more money if their actions are not restricted or governed. In actuality, this extra profit comes by way of lying and cheating and manipulating the general population for the sake of a profit. Government only works to hold people to a fair ethical standard, for the safety and well being of all citizens. these people calling for an ever smaller government don't want to be concerned with the well being of all citizens - but only for their own personal well being.

Our founding fathers understood the need for a healthy and vibrant social community. That is why the Constitution begins with the words "We The People..." It does not say, "We The Wealthy" or "We The White People" or "We The Men" We are all in this together, and we are only going to survive unless "we all" survive. And if it means that government has to rein in the actions of the selfish, and unethical, and immoral, then so be it. Isn't that the way it's supposed to be?