Opinion Editorial | |
| Wednesday, June 17, 1998 | |
A Father's Day Wish From the Father of Our CountryPete du PontFormer Governor of Delaware, is Policy Chairman of the National Center for Policy Analysis |
Father's Day is here once again, which made me wonder what George Washington,
the Father of Our Country (who had no children of his own), would think
if he were here to see what his political children have accomplished. I'm
not sure he would have a happy Father's Day. Washington was both optimistic
and concerned about the future of the country. He believed that the Founding
Fathers had done an excellent job in creating a republic based on the rule
of law, but he was also afraid that partisan politics, a decline in morality
and foreign entanglements could undermine the country. Just consider some of the fatherly warnings the Father of Our Country
gave us in his Farewell Address, published on September 17, 1796. "Of
all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion
and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that manclaim the
tribute of patriotism who should labor to subvert these great pillars of
human happiness " these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens.
The mere politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and cherish
them." Do we still uphold religion and morality as the "indispensable supports"
of our country? Or have both been swept under the carpet by some Americans
who constantly proclaim that religion and American public life are incompatible
with the Constitution and the American way? "[Partisan politics] opens the door to foreign influence and corruption,
which find a facilitated access to the government itself through the channels
of party passion. Thus the policy and the will of one country are subjected
to the policy and will of another." Did President Clinton trade technology for campaign contributions? Have
U.S. interests been "subjected" to the "policy and will"
of the Chinese government? We don't know the answer to that question yet
(though we may soon). But Clinton has made it clear that the fear of losing
the WhiteHouse to Republicans drove him to take unusual measures. Yet the Father of Our Country went on to warn: "Against the insidious
wiles of foreign influence (I conjure you to believe me, fellow citizens)
the jealousy of a free people ought to be constantly awake, since history
and experience prove that foreign influence is one of the most baneful foes
ofrepublican government." "Promote, then, as an object of primary importance, institutions
for the general diffusion of knowledge. In proportion as the structure
of a government gives force to public opinion, it is essential that public
opinion should be enlightened." We have two "institutions for the general diffusion of knowledge":
one is public education and the other is the press. Public education (K
through 12) has been almost totally controlled by government, while the
press has been about as free from government control as one could imagine.
Guess which one is innovative, thriving and free and which one has become
a total failure. Then guess which institution Washington would smile on. "As a very important source of strength and security, cherish public
credit. One method of preserving it is to use it as sparingly as possible,
avoiding occasions of expense by cultivating peace, but remembering also
that timely disbursements to prepare for danger frequently prevent much
greater disbursements to repel it; avoiding likewise the accumulation ofdebt,
not only by shunning occasions of expense, but by vigorous exertions in
time of peace to discharge the debts which unavoidable wars have occasioned,
not ungenerously throwing upon posterity the burthen which we ourselves
ought to bear." The federal government is awash in debt. Not only do we have a federal
debt of about $6 trillion, we have unfunded liabilities for Social Security
and Medicare that could easily reach more than $20 trillion. For years
the federal government has been spending as if there were no tomorrow; but
tomorrow is coming. Have we been whittling down debt during the good years,
as Washington encouraged? While Washington might be pleased that Congress
is finally producing a budget surplus, what would he say about the multiple
trillions of dollars we owe to the present and future generations of Americans? "But even our commercial policy should hold an equal and impartial
hand, neither seeking nor granting exclusive favors or preferences."
Does anyone remember Commerce Secretary Ron Brown and his apparent attempts
to give preferences to certain business leaders " especially those
who pumped plenty of money to the Democratic party? Foreign entanglements, unimaginable debt and a general loss of the role
of religion and morality in American society. The Father of Our Country
warned us against such developments, yet all are manifest. And unless we
work to change them, we may never be able to say to George Washington: Happy
Father's Day! Are you proud of what your children have done? Home | Support Us | All Issues | Social Security Debate Central | Contact Us |