Constitution -- a 'living, dynamic' document
What should government do?
Ask and you will get many answers. Beginning these discussions, it is easy to see that our founders were dealing with a far different situation.
The two columns about the U.S. Constitution show different views and interpretations of the basic meanings.
My own view is that our Constitution is a "living, dynamic document" that allows flexibility and provides for amendments (corrections) for unforeseen developments.
There are some principles to guide us in governing. Trusting the populace, given the goals described, it is assumed an informed voting public can govern itself.
What must our government do to meet the challenge of a global economy and technology that is changing at an increasing rate? We must decide what are the functiaons of government.
One principle is paramount. Government should do for its citizens that which they cannot do themselves. Some functions are almost universally accepted.
Laws that protect citizens, provide enforcement, raise necessary taxes, rules and regulation for commerce are necessary.
Education for citizens benefits all. As population increases, new ideas develop. Almost everything becomes more complex.
Roads are an excellent example where planning is needed. Missouri's Highway Department is a model for success.
Having a hard surface road within two miles of every home, an early goal set in 1952, has enabled most of us.
The first goal of that department was to connect all county seats with a maintained system. Cooperation between states benefits all of us.
Abraham Lincoln saw potential for interstate use of rivers for commerce.
Our land grant universities were established to enhance education.
President Eisenhower began our national interstate highway system for defense and commerce.
Four areas are included in government that cause the most friction, but are essential. Regulation seems to draw the most ire.
Recently, there was a call to increase the speed limit on interstate highways. Accidents increase as speed increases. It takes more fuel to maintain increased speed.
We seem to think we can use natural resources without regard for coming generations.
Banks were not regulated enough prior to 1930 and were partially responsible for the Great Depression. Regulations, begun in the 1930s, were relaxed and many believe this was a major reason for the most recent recession and increased income for the most fortunate.
Water in rivers has been greatly improved compared to the time meat packing industries, industrial and urban sewers fouled our streams, which are now much cleaner.
Recent warnings of dangers present or future point to the need for vision.
Legislators, and each of us, must be concerned about conserving our natural resources. Planning that prevents or eliminates such problems adds efficiency.
Legislators, even regulators, are sometimes guilty of advocating for those most guilty of fouling the air we breathe, water we depend on, food we eat.
Two areas of government activity, planning and vision, are most important, but receive the least attention, and are often blamed for problems when there is no direct connection.
The fourth area that is required of government is oversight (evaluation and supervision) of government activities. Cost-cutting efforts are often directed at entire budgets without regard to what is essential.
Duplication of effort is difficult to see and legislators differ in how they value programs.
This complexity is made more difficult when political parties jockey for power and forget they have been given the privilege of representing all the people and what is "the common good" in local, state, national or world.
Volumes have been written and are being written about what is wrong in our country.
Given space limitations, I hope these words bring some wisdom for consideration.