The Absolute Best Rule of Government

A Government that Gives You Everything, Can Take Everything Away

Mar 9, 2025

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“A government big enough to give you everything, can take everything away.”

Apocryphal words by a not very memorable President, Gerald Ford. But, seriously, don’t those words ring true! There seems to be a worldwide recognition today of just how prescient the Michigan Congressman, turned accidental President, was.

Consider Gaza–oh dear can’t we just forget about it? After slaughtering 1200 innocent people, burning babies (which they celebrated), after raping, killing and dismembering young women, they demand the world (or the US) rebuild their utterly failed state. Look it up–these vicious beasts now claim the world must rebuild Gaza to the tune of more than $50 million. https://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2025/03/a-realistic-future-for-gaza.php And after that, well you know what they want–more money to feed, house and clothe themselves. Seriously, unrepentant killers now want the world to feel guilty if they suffer the consequences of their acts. Let’s be real, they are genuinely at the mercy of big government now and perhaps forever. Consider and be warned as this is what can and does happen.

In a different vein entirely, consider the Ukraine. Now, to be clear, I am a bit more familiar than most with Russia, having taught there on two occasions. And I am a bit more familiar with that area of the world as we have a family home in nearby Greece and I also taught on several occasions in Serbia. Still, it is difficult to sympathize with a government that closes churches, cancels elections and bans free speech. Oops, that’s historically both Russia and the Ukraine, so a pox on both houses. But the lesson here is the same, if the Ukraine depends entirely on the U.S. Government to survive (and it does) then that government can decide (as it appears to have done) to take everything away. And the breadlines of Russia, so vivid in our memories, are an abiding memory of big government.

Perhaps our “educated class” understands these lessons and will avoid them. Not! You have Columbia University openly flouting the law by allowing, neh encouraging, assaults and harassment of Jewish students. Then in the ultimate hutzpah they deny what everyone saw, release the students who assaulted others from any criminal or educational penalty and expect nothing will happen. And to be clear, given the history of the Democrat Party/Progressives/Uniparty Deepstate/Biden/Obama, such conduct would be lauded and awarded. But, that old law came back to life and the government took all the University grant money away, $400 million. Bravo to Truth, Justice and the American Way.

So perhaps old beliefs and old truths are returning. Or as the equally true admonition goes, “Give man a fish and he eats for a single day, teach a man to fish and he can live a lifetime.” Perhaps we should do more of that, and less of government providing all that need. While my wife of 50 years long ago learned to live with that truth (I do love to fish), perhaps I should consider fishing a bit less–NOPE. (Yes, that’s the author a few years back–no need to lie about the size of that bad boy–released for a future angler to enjoy.)