Lest We Forget...

In the midst of all the political rhetoric thrown at us each election year, it's easy to forget the most basic principles of American politics.

Namely, the concept of freedom.

You hear that word tossed around, but do you ever stop to think about the notion? Have you ever asked yourself where freedom comes from?

Some politicians would like you to believe that government grants our freedoms. However, our founding fathers believed this couldn't be further from the truth. Though they waged many ideological battles, America's founders agreed: government's job is not to bestow our liberties, but to protect them.

John Adams declared, "Let it be known, that British liberties are not the grants of princes or parliaments; that many of our rights are inherent and essential…We have a right to them derived from our maker."

His statement still reigns true. Our freedoms do not originate in Frankfort or Washington, but are innate. Many politicians claim to believe this, but their actions often say otherwise.

From the British tea tax to the gasoline tax, many politicians usurp freedom rather than protect it. So as we watch the ads and listen to the speeches, let us not forget the principles of our first presidents, and let us never forget that our nation's leader should always serve not as a giver of liberty, but as its guardian.