Government about equal rights, not equal things

N/A Dec. 15, 2010 3:50 pm Updated: Dec. 15, 2010 3:50 pm

President Barack Obama has often stated that the role of the government is for “redistribution of wealth.” Therefore, Obama wants the government to take from the “haves” and give to the “have nots” so all will be “equal.”

Such belief was popular in Europe around the 1700s during the days of our American founders. However, our Founding Fathers considered this idea to have a huge fallacy.

Our Founding Fathers believed every person was entitled to protection of his life and property. Thus, the government was to protect the lives and property of all the people.

Their policy was to guarantee equal protection of all the people's rights and ensure that all would have the freedom to prosper; no one would be locked into poverty like too many people in other parts of the world.

The key was using the government to protect equal rights for all, not provide equal things. Thus, the American ethic became hard work, frugality, thrift and compassion. Over time, Americans became the most prosperous and best educated and freest people in the world.

Obama promotes a losing idea that is 300 years behind the times and proven by America being the most prosperous nation in the world.

Floyd Williams

Cedar Rapids