Peggy Noonan: The Mood of the Nation

Peggy Noonan, the former speech writer for President Reagan, has written an insightful article where she puts words to a tacit anxiety felt across the nation. This may be her best editorial ever (and that's saying something since they are always excellent). The subtitle for this one is "America is in trouble -- and our elites are merely resigned." As I read the column I found that Ms. Noonan has put into writing some of the very feelings that have been percolating in my mind that I have been unable to express.

My rants on the state of things is just that inner unease trying to get control of a situation that I have no control over. I think the problems can be fixed, but not without radical changes to our political system. Just a few highlights:

• Term Limits for Congress - If two terms is good enough for the executive branch, then two terms is good enough for the Senate and three terms is good enough for the House.
• Term Limits for Supreme Court Judges - I read an article that makes a good argument for limiting Supreme Court Judges to 18 years.
• Replacement of the Income Tax with the "Fair Tax" - Regular readers to this blog should know by now that I find the Income Tax to be morally wrong. The current system is invasive and tyrannical. It is less about revenue and is more about stealth control of people, things and activities.
• Remove the Federal Government from Education. The Federal government should get entirely out of the education business, including funding and setting standards, with the exception of the service academies. Primary, secondary, post-secondary, vocational-technical and professional education should be regulated at the state and local level or by private/religious entities.
• Remove the Federal Government from Welfare. Helping the helpless is a task best left up to individuals at a local level. I am responsible for my neighbor...not for someone in Tennessee. Compassionate people are willing to help for those who truly need it. Education and training programs are needed for the rest in order to break the welfare cycle, but should be handled by state and local governments. By helping people help themselves, you can ease the financial strain on government and instill self-esteem and independence that will keep future generations from falling into the death-trap of welfare. Completely remove welfare and subsidies for all businesses.
  

These are just a few ideas (almost looks like the beginnings of a platform) that I think would return power to the individual and change the attitude of people. The despondent heart Peggy mentions is the direct result of people who feel like they are powerless. We have been shackled by the government and, like the slaves of old, our souls lament using the melody of dirges.