These days, it's 'We the governed'

Has anyone experienced disappointment in any of the ever-growing government agencies? Have any of them broken your trust? How are the “War on Poverty” and the “War on Drugs” working out? Do you vote for an elected official to do a good job for you and then imagine that your work is done, as if your trash collector relieves you the responsibility of picking up after yourselves?

It is clearly evident that the only successful democracies existing today are made up of such people who have the ability to govern themselves. There are very few to be found today.

While I personally do not have an original thought in my head, let me borrow and plagiarize a bit.

“Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” —John Adams, second U.S. president.

Of course, in this day of relativity, the question will arise: What morals and what religion? To Google the answer probably would add to the confusion.

Governing ourselves used to be taught at home and in our schools. Today, we seem to rely on the agencies created by other agencies, along with elected representatives concerned with getting their name on legislation, promoting tolerance, banning hate, weapons and bullying.

At one time, misbehavior, even the appearance of an inappropriate attitude, was not permitted. Today our youth are encouraged to experiment with lifestyles, and to express and respect themselves. The result has been the permissive, self-indulgent, self-gratifying, self-serving, unthankful personalities who have never learned to govern or control their appetites. This applies not only to the youth, but we adults who have been given the duty of preparing our youth for good citizenship.

What you see happening in the well-intentioned democracies set up around the world today will certainly fail. They will not only fail, but will cost many lives and suffering.

Are we going to continue to be self-serving, or will we become self governing again? Are we so arrogant to feel we are immune?

Jim Sisler is a resident of Big Arm.