General Welfare is as broad a term as you can get....

2005-11-14T13:23:00.000-06:00

General Welfare is as broad a term as you can get. In fact, much like our democracy, it is extremely dynamic and changes over time.

The unfortunate struggle that eventually takes place with terms such as "general welfare" is the co-mingling of this idea with human nature. As you have pointed out, I may not wish to pay taxes. I think that my money is mine. I also may not need any roads, garbage removal or mail service. I am self sufficient. However, the general population of the country requires roads for numerous reasons that effect economics, communication and organization of our country. For this very reason we have taxes that help establish these programs and serve the general welfare of the community and the country.

When human nature and feelings become involved sometimes the “facts” of a situation can be blurred and much like the person who is self sufficient and does not need the roads, mail delivery and garbage collection, a growing group of citizens lay claim to an ideal that “should” become a system within the community. In our representative system, these groups push hard to sway the minds of those who are elected to speak for the people. In some instances, the idea and those who support the idea are not the majority, but they believe they are “right!”

And so, for some this new idea is a necessity whether or not there are facts that support the idea. The founding fathers required debate to take place followed by a vote. In today’s day and age we are not patient enough for such things. We tend to raise new ideas during the debate in order to affect the debate as it goes forth or to stop the debate all together. We get side tracked by unresolved issues from the past. We critique the presenter of facts and their worthiness to present debate.

In short, we play what is known as politics which can way-lay the process of debate to the point that nothing gets done or is so confusing that debate becomes stalled or decisions become forced in a manner so as to appease the masses, kowtow to the power broker or answer to the loudest dollar sign.

I do not believe you can answer the question, what does the government owe us? You will receive a different answer from every person that you speak with. The impatient world of today could never have been foreseen by the founding fathers because for them, hardship was considered part of life. In today’s United States of America hardship is someone else’s fault and promoting the general welfare is seen as making them pay.

Comments on What Does the Government Owe Us?: The Constitution's General Welfare

General Welfare is as broad a term as you can get....