Posted: Saturday, Dec 27, 2008 - 07:56:08 pm PST
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Mary Souza

Heart of the Matter

The American Revolution was the first in history to reverse the course of any government. In his final address as president, Ronald Reagan spoke passionately of this fact as he celebrated the power of "We the People." He said those three little words changed the world; they established that people can control their government, not the other way around. He also said that "'We the people' are the driver, the government is the car. And we decide where it should go, and by what route, and how fast."

Now we the people have some work to do if we are to keep our hands on the wheel of the car. Our federal government is handing out tax money at a rate never before imagined, with little or no oversight. Our state is bracing for the consequences of a tax revenue downturn as well, but is taking quite a different approach.

Gov. Butch Otter spoke in Coeur d'Alene last week, and his warning about the challenging economic outlook was not sugar-coated; it was straightforward and realistic. The governor will deal with the lower state income by a budget holdback of up to 14 percent for 2010. Deep reductions in services will be felt by every department, with some targeted more than others, he predicted.

I appreciate that our state will reduce spending first, making the engine of government more efficient. Gov. Otter told us that the 1.4 million citizens of Idaho should prepare for government that provides only essential needs, not wants. He warned that even certain valuable services will be cut for a while, but vowed their return when revenues have recovered.

Our governor echoed the sentiment of President Reagan when he talked of Idaho leading the way for the country in these bleak economic times. He said our state can show the nation that the best helping hand is often found at the end of our own sleeves. The power of citizens to fuel the recovery is real, and it is something Idahoans know how to do: Get to work.

Our tradition is to work through problems, not allow difficulties to paralyze us with fear. We know how to roll up our sleeves and make things happen. And the time to do so is now. "We the People" must not wait for our government to bail us out, we need to pull ourselves out of this mess. The silver lining of this national and state economic disaster could be a re-awakening of "We the people." When stability returns to our markets, we must dedicate ourselves to regaining our rightful control over our government, control we've allowed to slip in recent years, control that has now been ripped from our hands in this financial crisis.

Ronald Reagan believed deeply in the power of the Constitution, "... a document in which 'We the people' tell the government what it is allowed to do," he said.

Another great American president, Abraham Lincoln, concluded his famous Gettysburg Address with optimism for the country, saying: "...This nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the Earth."

So, as we wrap up this tumultuous year of 2008, let's look for opportunities to change our system and empower the people. We can overcome our current problems, work through the obstacles and climb back into the driver's seat of government where we belong. Happy New Year to us all.

Mary Souza is a 20-year resident of Cd'A, local small business owner and former P&Z Commissioner. Her opinions are her own. For a free archive of past columns visit www.marysouzacda.com. Comments can be sent to marysouzacda@gmail.com. Please visit the local issues Web site www.OpenCdA.com for more discussion.