Because our Founding Fathers shared a biblical understanding of human nature, they were well aware of the sinful tendencies resident in fallen human beings and made every effort to protect themselves from the tyranny and oppression which inevitably result. In The Federalist Papers, Alexander Hamilton cautioned his readers to never forget that men are “ambitious, vindictive, and rapacious.” Because of this governments are instituted because “the passions of men will not conform to the dictates of reason and justice without restraint.” In fact, he observes that “momentary passions and immediate interest” often guide the decisions of our leaders rather than what is truly in the best interest of the people.

Thomas Jefferson added that “…it would be a dangerous delusion were a confidence in men of our choice to silence our fears for the safety of our rights…”

Jefferson understood that even the best of men will not always do what is right when placed in a position of power. Therefore, he cautions us not to place our ultimate confidence in fallen, human beings.

This is why our Founding Fathers developed a written Constitution. Jefferson further explains:

“…it is jealousy and not confidence which prescribes limited Constitutions to bind down those whom we are obliged to trust with power: that our constitution has accordingly fixed the limits to which no further our confidence should go…In questions of power then let no more be heard of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the Constitution.”

We must elect those who honor, respect and submit to our Constitution as a necessary “chain” on the selfish tendencies found in even the best of our leaders.

One of the President’s incessant cries during the debt ceiling debate was for “increased revenue” also know as higher taxes. The Left’s addiction to spending leads to an insatiable appetite for more taxes. When a government repeatedly fails to live within its means, the only solution of to demand more and more from the pockets of those they were elected to serve. The end result is tyranny and oppression.

Thomas Jefferson understood the connection between public debt and the tyranny of governmental taxation. He warned:

“…this is the tendency of all human governments. A departure from principle in one instance becomes a precedent for a second: that second for a third: and so on, till the bulk of society is reduced to be mere automatons of misery…And the forehorse of this frightful team is public debt. Taxation follows that, and in its train wretchedness and oppression.”

Founding Father James Madison boldly declared:

“I go on the principle that public debt is a public curse.”

If Madison is correct, American is currently under the greatest curse in the history of our nation! As Jefferson warned, we have violated principle numerous times, extending our debt ceiling several times to accommodate our extravagant spending. If we fail to elect principled leaders who will stand firm in resisting profligate spending, we may very well become the “automatons of misery” Jefferson warned us about.

We hear much talk today of making the rich pay their “fair share.” The questions we need to ask are, “Who are the rich?” and “How do we define the phrase “fair share?” Unfortunately the “rich” are generally defined as those who make more than we do and “fair share” means you need to pay more. Our progressive tax rate enforces this folly by taxing those with greater incomes at a higher tax rate. Put simply, it is a politician’s arbitrary decision to take that which belongs to someone else under the pretense of taking care of those who have less.

Does the government have the constitutional right to do this?

Founding Father Sam Adams didn’t think so. He said:

“The Utopian schemes of leveling (aka redistribution of wealth through taxation) and a community of goods (aka socialism/communism), are as visionary and impractical as those which vest all property in the Crown. (These ideas) are arbitrary, despotic, and, in our government, unconstitutional.”

Thomas Jefferson warned, “If we can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people, under the pretense of taking care of them, they must become happy.”

As the 2012 election approaches, we must make sure we elect men and women who honor the private property of America’s citizens, who encourage hard work and initiative, and who will work for a just tax code which doesn’t punish producers for their success.