The signers of the Declaration of Independence did not pledge their fortunes and sacred honor so the federal government could play 'helicopter parent' to a free people. They saw government as our shared project to secure liberty, doing a few big things and doing them well.
Interpretation
The founders of the United States aimed for a government that supports freedom rather than controlling citizens like a 'helicopter parent'.
In this quote, Ben Sasse reflects on the intentions of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, emphasizing that they committed themselves to creating a government that would protect individual liberty rather than micromanaging the lives of citizens. He argues that the founders envisioned a government focused on significant responsibilities, executing them effectively, and ensuring the freedom of the populace rather than overly intervening in their daily lives.
In practice
This quote is perfect for discussing the role of government in a civic class.
Among the responsibilities of each citizen in a participatory democracy is keeping ourselves sufficiently informed so that we can participate effectively, argue our positions honorably, and hopefully, forge sufficient consensus to understand each other and then to govern.
Becoming a reader grows our horizons, our appetite for the good, the true and the beautiful, and our empathy.
The health of our republic depends on shared principles like the First Amendment, but it is also built on the Teddy Roosevelt-like vigor of its citizens and local self-reliance.
Being stuck in adolescence - that's a hell. 'Peter Pan' is a dystopia, and we forget that. Neverland is a bad place to be.
Rising political tribalism, shamelessly exaggerating our opponents' claims or behavior, is leaving us vulnerable: No one loves America's internal fighting - and our increasingly siloed news consumption - more than Vladimir Putin.
Good history is good story-telling. And good story-telling demands empathy; it requires understanding different actors, differing motivations, competing goals.
Blessed are the young for they shall inherit the national debt.
Fighting corruption is not just good governance. It's self-defense. It's patriotism.
Politicians like to tell people what they want to hear - and what they want to hear is what won't happen.
Legislative language is governed by a law of etymology that is also the ancient code of the bureaucracy: It doesn't have to be right, it just has to be close enough for government work. If they understand what you mean, it doesn't matter what you say or how you say it.
For a very long time, and among a large number of peoples, political power has belonged to the owners of the land.
The political lives of tyrants play out human affairs with a special intensity: the death of a democratic leader long after his retirement is a private matter, but the death of a tyrant is always a political act that reflects the character of his power.
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