We Know So Much Better Than We Do . . .
By William D. Bailey (06/21/07)
For quite a while now, the above axiom, “We Know So Much Better Than We Do”, has been in the forefront of my mind. This has particular application to at least four specific areas. I will attempt to be brief as I deal with them.
First . . . the Constitution of the United States. The founders of our nation were remarkable people. They had a dream of a government of, by and for the people. They visualized governmental power being vested in the State governments since that would be the government closest to the people. They saw a “weak” Federal government with responsibilities and functions primarily in the areas of national defense, foreign relations, etc. Over the years, a “flip-flop” seems to have happened and the power of government has now been made resident at the Federal level. And, I believe this change has chipped away at the very document that founded us and gave us our roadmap to a nation revered and respected by the rest of the world. We keep electing people to the Congress of the United States (both Houses) who go to Washington with personal agendas and, in order to accomplish them, seem to toss the Constitution aside. Oh, they’ll wave it in the air and make unceasing reference to it, but in actuality they’re chipping away at its foundation.
Should you doubt this, I would respectfully suggest taking time for some applicable reading. First, I would suggest reading the Constitution. Give particular attention to Article I, Section 8, Clauses 1-18. Those words clearly spell out the powers that the founding fathers intended for the Federal Legislature to have. Next, re-read the Declaration of Independence; then, read the Federalist Papers; then, read “Thomas Jefferson on Politics and Government” (this can be found at http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/jefferson/quotations/jeffcont.htm). Yes, it will take some of your time for this reading, but I believe you will find it to be both interesting and instructive. Having completed the reading, I believe you will see that, “We Know So Much Better Than We Do”.
The second area where I believe there is an application of this axiom is again related to the Federal government. This has to do with fiscal responsibility. It is a simple matter of fact that when you spend more than you take in, you’re in the proverbial “hole”. It is also a fact that you can’t get out of the hole by digging it deeper. Every “bread-winner” in this country would tell you that if they spend more than their income, they get into financial trouble. The independent business owner will confirm the same thing. It doesn’t take a “rocket-scientist” to figure this out. Yet, year after year, we see this continue to take place relative to Federal spending. We don’t take this approach in our personal lives (without peril), how can we continue to let it happen in our government ? “We Know So Much Better Than We Do”.
The third area has to do with public education. Being a product of a public school system and having had the privilege of serving as a teacher in the public schools, as well as having both children and grandchildren who were/are in the public schools, I believe I can speak to this subject with some personal familiarity. Over the years, we have allowed a transition to take place in the public schools . . . one that, in my opinion, has not been very healthy. We have seen the emphasis shift from teaching students how to think to teaching students what to think. As a result, we see students coming out of schools at all levels without the ability to effectively read, write, understand and apply simple mathematics, and communicate. Lacking these basic tools, they do not possess the ability to formulate their own opinions. Unfortunately, they simply “mouth” the things that have been molded into their thinking. Obviously, the opposite of this is where parental guidance and influence has been strong. Isn’t it interesting that the home-schooling approach has become so strong and active over the past few years ? Could it just be that “We Know So Much Better Than We Do” ?
The fourth and final area has to do with personal responsibility. The Pilgrims who fought rough seas, disease and many other hardships came to establish this country and exercised strong personal responsibility in doing so. They didn’t seek to find someone else at whom to point the finger. They didn’t blame others for whatever came upon them.
Over the ensuing years, we see example after example where people in trying times took responsibility and fought through to a successful conclusion. We seem to have morphed into a society where someone else is always to blame for what happens to us. And, of course, that’s not always the case. The diminishing of personal responsibility has, unfortunately, implanted a way of thinking that believes in “something for nothing” and “the world owes me something”. And, of course that’s just not true. The bottom line still remains that we are responsible for our own actions. One more time, “We Know So Much Better Than We Do”.
None of this is directed at any particular political party for I believe both of the major parties are without clean hands. However, I believe that all must share some of the responsibility for, after all, we allowed and tolerated it while it was happening. “We Know So Much Better Than We Do”.
William D. Bailey
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