By Stan Gudmundson
I’ve quoted him before but it is appropriate to do so again. Historian Arnold Toynbee once said something to the effect that great countries and empires are not defeated, they commit suicide. The authors of the book I am John G
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"Where Fillmore County News Comes First"
Online Edition
Saturday, May 25th, 2013
Volume ∞ Issue ∞
- 11:44:26, May 21st 2013 - airmaxs52274 - Have you ever thought about adding a little bit more than just your a ... [Read More]
- 5:56:33, May 18th 2013 - modgudur - I guess the child is anti-gun control since Obama went to all that trouble ... [Read More]
- 9:27:41, May 16th 2013 - caal girl - Nice outfit on you. I loved some of the dresses but am holding my breath ... [Read More]
- 2:03:34, May 14th 2013 - - Thanks for sharing the trip with us! ... [Read More]
- 4:12:01, May 9th 2013 - Amanda Ziebell - Wow! Thanks to the Fillmore County Journal for this kind story. For a ... [Read More]
- 11:47:30, May 7th 2013 - EW - ramble.....ramble.....ramble..... ... [Read More]
- 10:25:25, May 7th 2013 - Thunder6 - Great article! I love to see the Youth of Fillmore County receiveing acco ... [Read More]
- 6:52:10, May 6th 2013 - Jason Sethre, Publisher of Fillmore County Journal & Olmsted County Journal - Maryh, ... [Read More]
- 7:29:56, May 5th 2013 - maryh - Where are OCJ's available for pickup...other than at the new office? ... [Read More]
- 2:41:47, May 3rd 2013 - Remark1976 - Mrs. Buckbee, I just looked up Senate File 796 and in it there are said p ... [Read More]
Trust and government
Fri, Feb 8th, 2013
Posted in All Commentary
Posted in All Commentary
Comments
Polls over recent years demonstrate a declining trust in government, especially Congress. A recent Pew Research Center poll suggests citizens in rising numbers feel that the federal government threatens their personal rights. In 1995, 36 percent felt the federal government threatened their personal rights; that number has risen in 2013 to 53 percent.
The federal government seems to continually fall short in resolving problems the country is facing. A Gallop Poll taken in mid 2012 suggests that Congress has been the biggest disappointment at 13 percent approval. The President and the Supreme Court get much better marks. Big business and banks are only trusted by 21 percent. All told, trust in Washington seems to be at a historical low. Washington is significantly more trusted to handle international problems than domestic problems. State governments enjoy about a two-thirds positive rating and local governments do better yet with about three quarters of respondents giving them a positive rating.
A Symbiotic Relationship
According to the Pew Poll, over half of the respondents believe the federal government threatens their personal rights. I agree there are some unnecessary laws and regulations on the books at all levels of government, but on the whole, I feel laws and regulations increase individual freedom much more than they reduce individual freedom. Without government, freedom would be lost.
Anarchism is the doctrine that professes that all government should be abolished. Anarchy is a lack of government and this would severely inhibit personal freedom for almost everybody. Most of us would be at the mercy of the most powerful. A symbiotic relationship is a mutually advantageous association or relationship. This is what I see our government is to the American population. Our system of government certainly isn’t perfect, but probably one of the best in the world.
Striking a Balance
No one likes restrictions on their own preferred activities or on what they can do on their own property. However, we are part of a greater whole, a community where laws and restrictions protect others that could be adversely affected by our actions or us from the actions of others. The various levels of government need to review laws periodically to make sure they are necessary and effective, as the need for government oversight changes over time. More government does not necessarily reduce i .....
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The federal government seems to continually fall short in resolving problems the country is facing. A Gallop Poll taken in mid 2012 suggests that Congress has been the biggest disappointment at 13 percent approval. The President and the Supreme Court get much better marks. Big business and banks are only trusted by 21 percent. All told, trust in Washington seems to be at a historical low. Washington is significantly more trusted to handle international problems than domestic problems. State governments enjoy about a two-thirds positive rating and local governments do better yet with about three quarters of respondents giving them a positive rating.
A Symbiotic Relationship
According to the Pew Poll, over half of the respondents believe the federal government threatens their personal rights. I agree there are some unnecessary laws and regulations on the books at all levels of government, but on the whole, I feel laws and regulations increase individual freedom much more than they reduce individual freedom. Without government, freedom would be lost.
Anarchism is the doctrine that professes that all government should be abolished. Anarchy is a lack of government and this would severely inhibit personal freedom for almost everybody. Most of us would be at the mercy of the most powerful. A symbiotic relationship is a mutually advantageous association or relationship. This is what I see our government is to the American population. Our system of government certainly isn’t perfect, but probably one of the best in the world.
Striking a Balance
No one likes restrictions on their own preferred activities or on what they can do on their own property. However, we are part of a greater whole, a community where laws and restrictions protect others that could be adversely affected by our actions or us from the actions of others. The various levels of government need to review laws periodically to make sure they are necessary and effective, as the need for government oversight changes over time. More government does not necessarily reduce i .....
[Read the Rest]
Are you smarter than a 5th grader?
Fri, Jan 25th, 2013
Posted in All Commentary
Posted in All Commentary
During the Bush administration, Dana Perino was taking questions from reporters. The subject of the Cuban Missile Crisis came up. It turned out Dana had never heard about the installation of nuclear missiles by the Soviet Union on Cuba; the thirteen
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Is there a God?
Fri, Jan 18th, 2013
Posted in All Commentary
Posted in All Commentary
By Pastor Mike Hopper
“Is there a God?” In the January 14, 2013 issue of the Fillmore County Journal, Publisher Jason Sethre asked a good question. As a teen, I too asked that question, and since that time have come to the solid conclusion: “
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Lost in Spades
Fri, Jan 18th, 2013
Posted in All Commentary
Posted in All Commentary
It’s probably been long enough that most of you have managed to betray the promises made at the year’s beginning: exercise equipment has started collecting dust, you’ve sheepishly hit the drive-thru again, maybe that pack of smokes was just to
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One Moment Please... Is there a God?
Fri, Jan 11th, 2013
Posted in All Commentary
Posted in All Commentary
When I am driving here and there, I often have my radio tuned into Minnesota Public Radio (91.7) or XM Radio.
During my travels last week, I happened to catch a debate between scholars, scientists and clergy discussing whether God exists.
Of c
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What is next?
Fri, Jan 11th, 2013
Posted in All Commentary
Posted in All Commentary
By Brett Kues
When I was 15, I wanted a car. I dreamed of a Toyota pickup with great big tires. I was not sure of the price, and didn’t care because I was certain my parents would foot the bill. One day on a rare trip into Omaha, as we were driv
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A road not yet taken
Fri, Jan 11th, 2013
Posted in All Commentary
Posted in All Commentary
Children, when trying to get their way, have been known to declare, “I’m going to hold my breath until...” Members of Congress seem to be making similar childish declarations. This is no way to run a government. Washington is failing to govern
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One Moment, Please... In the name of progress
Fri, Jan 4th, 2013
Posted in All Commentary
Posted in All Commentary
By Jason Sethre
Publisher
Fillmore County Journal &
Olmsted County Journal
Cell: 507-251-5297
jason@fillmorecountyjournal.com
During the month of January, our team at the Journal will be focused on starting the year out with a bang.
What’s
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