The formula for prosperity has been made clear throughout history. Limited government and
individual liberties are the foundation of American economic dominance.
In the American system, governments are supposed to operate within constitutional limits.
Governments that do so behave in predictable ways, allowing businesses and families to plan for
and take economic risks without fear of interference.
Government takeovers of entire industries, like health care, and unnecessary regulatory schemes,
like cap-and-trade, exceed constitutional limitations and harm overall prosperity because of the
uncertainty of government intervention.
A government dedicated to individual liberties is one that understands that private property is to
be protected, not taken or taxed. When they are allowed to make decisions about their own lives
and property, people will make some bad decisions along the way. But on the whole, individuals
will make better decisions than government institutions.
Obviously, people never have complete control over their property—government always takes
some of it in taxes. Government does have a role to play, but we must remember that taxes
always limit freedom.
Every dollar government spends is one that an individual who worked for it cannot spend as he
or she wishes. Government must be a wise steward of our tax dollars and it must provide society
with fair rules by which to play. A stable set of guidelines is necessary, as is a national defense,
but government takeovers and big government spending are not. They harm good, taxpaying
citizens, and they harm the economy as a whole. We must continue to fight for limited
government and individual liberties if we want to increase America’s prosperity.
