"Government exists to protect us from each other. Where government has gone beyond its limits is in deciding to protect us from ourselves." -Ronald Reagan, 40th President of the United States and Famous Hollywood Actor, Ronald Reagan books, CDs, DVDs//

Government does serve an important purpose, especially when it comes to preserving and protecting the rights of people who live within democratic societies. The freedoms and liberties individuals enjoy are born out of strong Constitutions, fair legislation and independent judiciaries; however, the temptation to narrowly interpret individual rights, broadly assume legislative power and politicize judicial appointments often causes governments to exceed their intended bounds. Reagan recognized an important distinction about the function of government that is frequently missed by those in office today. With swollen egos and partisan agendas, many elected officials and appointed bureaucrats have no qualms about assuming a parental role in the lives of those they represent. The government decides about a woman's right to choose, property owners rights, freedom of speech and the press and regulation of the Internet. All of these things are being over-legislated and restricted by governmental bodies around the world with the intent, as Reagan alludes, of "protecting us from ourselves." Perhaps if governments truly existed to serve individual rights in every sense, it wouldn't be so bad; however, most governments have a strong bureaucratic need to serve themselves and their own self-interests. Reagan recognized this conundrum, and it's up to citizens in every free nation to see the same. We don't need government to protect us from ourselves, but we do need government. So, what can we do to ensure good governance? Get informed. Get involved. Vote for people who believe in individual rights and limited government involvement in personal matters. Most importantly, though, is to demonstrate the ability to make good decisions for yourself and your family because, ultimately, personal freedoms are accompanied by personal responsibilities.