The speech

Now that they have officially named their running mates, both Al Gore and George W. Bush are stumping across the country selling socialism–i.e., telling the American people what they can–and will–do for them. John F. Kennedy’s old slogan–“ask not what your country can do for you . . . “–has apparently been completely discarded.

Al Gore is promising generous prescription drug benefits for senior citizens. George W. Bush is pledging to throw all sorts of federal dollars toward the sacred cow of public education.

Millions of Americans are in fact asking exactly what their federal government can do for them. And both George W. Bush and Al Gore are rushing to tell them what they want to hear: namely, that Big Government will always be there for them.

The only difference is that Al Gore wants a slightly bigger federal government than George W Bush. But the essential message is the same: the federal government has a major role to play in the lives of all Americans.

Gone is the passionate limited government rhetoric of both Ronald Reagan and Barry Goldwater. Today’s principal presidential candidates are saying that government is the solution, not so much the problem. They are also saying that moderation in the pursuit of liberty is indeed a virtue.

Ideally, what Bush and Gore should be saying is this: “My fellow Americans, I am not here to make your lives better. That is entirely up to you. I will certainly not obstruct you in your pursuit of happiness, wealth and liberty.

“Furthermore, I will certainly not give you what does not belong to me–what is not mine to give to you. I simply will not give you what does not belong to you. You are each responsible for your own lives. I am not here to unfairly offer you other people’s money in the hopes that you will love me and keep me firmly ensconced in power in return. I don’t expect you to worship the state.

“Incidentally, I am not here to tell you personal things about myself or my family, because, quite frankly, that is none of your business.

“My religion–should I have any–is also totally irrelevant, since I have no intention of favoring any religious faith. I firmly believe in the separation of church and state.
You can believe whatever you want. I don’t care as long as you don’t force people to live as you would want them to live. We should be free to choose.

“The only thing you need to know about me is that I will never violate your natural rights. I will do only what the Constitution specifically empowers me to do: to engage in the proper and legitimate functions of government, and nothing more.”