Kerby Anderson

Freedom in this country depends upon three important foundations: morality, limits, and human rights. First, freedom depends on morality. John Adams observed, “Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” When the citizens have an internal moral compass, the size and scope of government can be small. There is no need for external laws and regulations from government. If people do what is right and demonstrate common sense, the republic will thrive.

Second, freedom also depends upon limits. Lord Acton famously explained, “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” That is why the framers instituted checks and balances in our Constitutional system. They also recognized the right of the citizens to hold government officials accountable. A moral people keep the government in check. A limited government keeps political leaders in check.

A third foundation of freedom depends on respecting human rights as granted by our Creator. That important principle is found in the Declaration of Independence, which explains the “why” of American Government. And it is implied in the Constitution, which explains the “how” of American Government. This country has not always lived up to those ideals, but they provided a worthy goal to achieve.

Although you may know all these foundational principles, I fear that a whole generation of young people do not know them because they were never taught in their civics classes. And I see each of these foundational principles slipping away.

If we don’t begin to teach these principles to our children and grandchildren, then morality, limited government, and respect for human rights will soon become relics of our past. That is why you need to teach them to your family today.