Our Government should foster an environment that protects and allows us to enjoy our rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness to their fullest. Unfortunately, actions speak otherwise; they have instead chosen to become an institution that prefers to govern with a heavy hand. This is being facilitated by the slow, methodical confiscation of our freedoms and liberties which are then used to expand their dominion. Our politicians oppose acknowledging that natural rights exist because recognizing these inalienable rights serve to undermine their coveted agenda of control, instead they prefer to believe that such rights are enacted by legislation thus subject to rescission or modification at will. They would much rather structure a society resembling a metaphorical “zoo” so that our lives can be completely managed and regulated to conform to the will of Government. After all, our politicians believe themselves to be of superior intelligence versus the aggregate, thus undoubtedly concluding that our existence should be administered much like a chimpanzee in a zoo. The important question for our society to resolve is do we favor a dictated existence from our Government that promises the illusion of equal results to everyone, or do we strongly reject it knowing it can not be delivered despite the tremendous cost to our freedom and ultimately our society? The answer will certainly present itself going forward, but so far it appears that “Welcome to the Zoo” seems appropriate.

On the other side, we have the ones that believe Government is the answer, being an all-inclusive and benevolent institution that will take care of its people, in fact, have an obligation for that care. They possess a misguided attitude that the Government’s purpose is to solve all their challenges in life and they do not realize or care that this is not possible unless resources are confiscated from another. Individual rights and responsibilities are not important to this faction as they see themselves being in the care of a paternal Government of a rich nation, thus relying on it for their safekeeping and also to resolve their hardships. These beliefs are completely opposed to the underpinnings that built this country in general since its founding, yet it appears that this mind-set is on the rise in our nation. We seem to be pushing the conversion of our Government to the same collectivist dogma as many other nations around the world as if it has been proven successful.

One of these two philosophical camps is going to prevail as we move into the future, and it sure appears obvious which is predominant at this time. We really need to question whether we should reject our historical model of governing that has been unmatched in prosperity so that we can emulate the rest of the world. The prevailing outcome will permanently shape this nation going forward and present the true character of Americans, do we continue to lead by example or fade back into obscurity and reduced living standards? Hopefully, the outcome of this struggle gives the message we want to portray.