Accepting $$ is about Ideology

The following letter from Jet Beckum appeared in the Aiken Standard today.To comment click here

Accepting $$ is about ideology

The debate over the so-called stimulus money seems to be a difference in ideology. Recently I read an article bashing Gov. Sanford for being too ideological. There is a group of people in this debate that resents the governor for forming a plan for this state based on his ideas as to what our government's responsibilities to its citizens should be.

Mr. Editor you fall into this group, by your statement "Gov. Sanford doesn't realize today's needs." What you are really saying, "Sir", is that your ideology for government differs from that of Gov. Sanford.

Let me point out that difference in ideas is the reason we are Americans, thanks to our great forefathers. They were very ideological. First they had the idea that freedom was more important than security, so they told the King of England they were not for sale after he offered a very attractive "stimulus package."

They also had the radical idea to limit self-government by drawing up a Constitution that guaranteed these freedoms could not be changed by a popular president with too big of an ego. You see Mr. Editor our founding fathers would not agree with your ideas that the so-called "needs of the people" trump the freedoms that we enjoy and its not the government's responsibility to meet anybody's needs, however it is mandatory for government to protect the rights of individuals to have the freedom to succeed or fail; to meet their own needs or not meet them as they see fit to do so.

Unfortunately for the last 40 years an ideology has emerged in this country that is threatening the foundation laid by our forefathers. These are the ideas that public schools should educate children at all costs. The idea that government is to be parents, God and savior. This ideology has created a Nanny State of bureaucrats in every field - education, health care, social services, military and many, many others. The Nanny State is responsible for the huge deficit incurred by the taxpayers. The national debt will not be paid by the future generation in terms of money but it will be paid in the lost of freedoms and opportunities.

Gov. Sanford is not against education. I share his ideology on things wrong with education in this state. First, for the last 20 years the number of students in Aiken County schools has decreased while school expenses have continued to rise. At the same time about only one-third of our students get a decent education, while home schools, private schools and church schools lessen the financial burden on public schools. Why shouldn't they get some credit? By giving public schools more money and not requiring more effective use of these funds would be irresponsible for the governor.

The loudest out cry for taking the stimulus comes from embedded bureaucrats looking after their self-interest or politicians looking to buy voters.

I salute Governor Sanford.

Jet Beckum

Aiken