re: #251 Gus 802

Part 2…

Purpose and Limit of Civil Government

Humanity now is corrupted by sin. God’s image is still integral to humanity, but the likeness is distorted in varying degrees, and human dignity is mixed with depravity. Man’s actions which harm other men must be checked by force to preserve human life and liberty. I believe that this is the legitimate role of civil government — to do justice and to protect individual rights of life, liberty and property. Civil government, otherwise, should leave us alone and free.

Civil government must be limited, lest it take away the rights of individuals that it was instituted to protect. Civil magistrates, if granted excessive authority and opportunity, may act merely in their own interests and at the expense of the people whom they are to protect.

Finally, I believe that local self-government is the best form of civil government. Local self-government made our large and diverse country a great nation and it is essential that it be preserved or we will lose our freedom and the union.

They really need all of that for a politician in those parts? Cripes a mighty.