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Dauphin, Schuylkill, Lebanon, Berks, Perry Counties, PA May 18, 2010 Election
Smart Voter

Limited Government

By Allen Griffith

Candidate for US Representative; District 17; Republican Party

This information is provided by the candidate
The Federal Government has a very limited roll in our country. It must function as it was designed.
In the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson noted the unalienable rights of people, including, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. He then acknowledged that men institute government to secure those rights. In those few words the essential purpose of government was described. Government is primarily established to protect the citizenry. The U.S. Constitution designates the roll of our federal government very specifically in Article 1 Sec. 8. To be sure everyone umderstood these limited assignments, our founders wisely required the first ten amendments to the constitution, which we know as the Bill of Rights. The last of those amendments, the tenth, says that powers not delegated to the United States are reserved to the States respectively or to the people.

To evaluate how the federal government is carrying out its duties, we can use two terms to observe what government does. The function of government is primarily to "protect". Government goes astray when it endeavors to "provide". When government provides it always controls. This basic concept shows us if government is on track. Much of what is wrong today in our land can be traced to government's effort to provide for people and then control their lives. This flaw in understanding underlies every entitlement including the recent healthcare bill. Let government protect us by strong national defense, strong enforcement of domestic law and appropriate regulation to protect us from fraud and monopoly by business. Then we will be free to enjoy our rights and live with maximum God given freedom. When government ignores it's proper roll, it becomes controlling and oppressive, which is where we are today.

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