North Star Writers Group

We've come a long way from the sentiment of old Tom to the pandering politicians of today. Back then, it was "Don't Tread on Me." Nowadays, it's "Do Spend on Me." Then, "Give me liberty or give me death!" Today, "Give me free prescription drugs!" Maybe it would be one thing if these oh-so-self-congratulatory politicians were actually spending from their own wallets; but we're being bribed with our own money, taxed away from us, and apparently too stupid or too caught up in selfish greed to notice.

What I wouldn't give for someone, anyone, to dare say something like: "You know, Mr. or Ms. Groveling-for-Re-election, that program sounds great, but could you please point out the part of the Constitution that authorizes government to do that?" That will never happen, of course. We've apparently evolved beyond silly antiquated things like limited government, self-responsibility and so forth. We may still call ourselves the United States of America, and claim the Constitution as our supreme law of the land, but I can't imagine that if Jefferson could step in a time machine destined for 2006 he would recognize the nation into which he disembarked as having the slightest resemblance to the one he and his fellow Founders bequeathed us. My guess is that he'd take one look at the tax code (longer than the Bible) or the annual federal budget ($2.75 trillion and counting) and, after taking a moment to vomit and compose himself, ask what the hell we'd done to the place. Rather like parents returning from an evening out to find their teenagers had thrown a party and trashed the house.

This election is really a choice between maturity and childishness, between responsibility and puerility, between ones who cry "Gimme! I wanna!" and ones who say "No!" This is a choice between grown-ups and children. Make no mistake, opening wide the cupboard doors of government and expecting the masses to not empty the shelves is a little like setting a child loose in a candy store and expecting he'll stop with one Hershey's Kiss. In both cases, they'll gorge until they make themselves sick.

Someone has to be the parent – the calm, logical, responsible voice of care and reason that protects the children among us from their own worst instincts. It may not be fun and it may not be popular, but it is necessary. And just as a child throws a temper tantrum when disciplined, so too will many politicians and voters call names and hurl accusations of malicious intentions when their selfish and short-sighted desires are thwarted. Never mind that in both cases it's the best thing, to keep both child and nation from turning out bad.

The divided America we have in 2006 is like a family with a rebellious pre-teen. Either some tough love is practiced, or the child will most likely be lost to destructive forces. Do we have what it takes to keep the family together by being firm in the truth and lovingly steadfast? Or will we just roll over and lose the unique creation we birthed? Just as parents must do with children, so, too, those of us with a grown-up mindset must do with the juveniles in our midst. The life of our nation - our family - hangs in the balance.

Click here to talk to our writers and editors about this column and others in our discussion forum.

To e-mail feedback about this column, click here. If you enjoy this writer's work, please contact your local newspapers editors and ask them to carry it.

This is Column # DKK31. Request permission to publish here.