The best government

What made America great? Was it birth-to-grave welfare? Being paid not to work and letting everyone else working house you, feed you, clothe you, provide for your entertainment? Was it letting government have control of every part of your life, where you live, what you do, what you think, what you say, what you feel, what is approved speech? Knowing that the government is always correct and knows better what is good for you than you do? Following government newspeak to sacrifice your individuality like a good mind-controlled citizen? Living on the government free stuff: food, clothing, housing? Or was it the freedom to work hard, become self-sufficient, live where you choose, control your own thought and speech without political correctness and government mind control?

America was, in my opinion, built by strong-willed, never-say-never men and women determined to make the best life for themselves and theirs, not weaklings who cowered at the thought of confronting difference by free discussion and at times fisticuffs, war and, yes, killing to maintain freedom from an overbearing country seeking to enslave the American people and bend them to their will. America was built with a fierce streak of stubborn independence where power came from the people to the government, not the government to the people. I have always believed that the best government is that which governs least. It should promote the mutual welfare and defend against our outside enemies with a strong and superior military to defend to death our right to exist as a free people.

WAYNE KNOWLES

Shannon Hills