What are your hopes and dreams? We generally fail to realize that how we are governed has more to say about whether we will ever realize them.
The Impact of Governance on Our Hopes and Dreams
When I sat down to think about this question years ago, it led me to study our founding documents and eventually receive certification to teach Civics and the Constitution. I agree with those who argue that our Creator has providential priority over our futures. Whether by “chance” or choice, we have been placed providentially to live where we do. Therefore, we need to consider the relevance of government to our future.
A trip around the world of news recently proves this point.
Look at the differences in the systems of government around the globe. How are citizens’ lives affected? The hopes and dreams of many at the start of 2025 have changed drastically over a few years.
A little closer to home:
Remember the restrictions the government placed on restaurants during the pandemic? Many restaurants that “kept it together” for a couple of years eventually went out of business. This is another example of how government can affect your hopes and dreams.
An open borders policy convinced many populations to pour into the United States unhindered by current U.S. law. New border security laws are now being enforced and have changed lives within and beyond American borders.
What about changes on the medical front concerning medications, vaccinations, and innovations? Government has a say in our offerings and our opportunities to pursue treatment.
The Dangers of Emotion-Driven Governance
For Americans who are led by emotions, like compassion, fear, misplaced trust, or by personal irresponsibility and misplaced loyalty, Founder Ben Franklin had a word for us that was as true in 1775 as it is today:
“Passion governs, and she never governs wisely.”
A Call to Action: Elevating Governance Standards
Consider the consequences of deciding how you are governed based on misplaced loyalty, emotions, and non-fact-based research. Emotions and attachments (i.e., passion) are not the qualities of free governments in the long term. What can you do to bring your emotions, passions, or misplaced loyalties into a fact-based reality check on your local, state, and national governments that is uniquely yours, not someone else’s?
It’s time that We, the People raise the bar for choosing law and the facts over emotion if we want wisdom, understanding, and knowledge to guide our governance.
This is Common Sense Civics and Citizenship.🇺🇸
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