by Chris Neeley
1/27/05

During his second inauguration speech, President Bush declared that America must renew her commitment to the principles and ideals set forth by the founders. That is, freedom and liberty for all people.

You might ask, "Who doesn't support that?" After all, most reasonable people believe that everyone deserves a right to live, work and raise a family in a free and open society that embraces traditional American values.

Regrettably, political correctness, arrogance of power and liberal thought have taken hold of the reins of government -- costing each of us the very liberties and freedom we want others around the world to embrace.

I suggest if we want to serve as a model of freedom around the world, then we must first start by promoting and preserving our freedoms right here at home. And we can in the North Carolina General Assembly.

The members of the General Assembly have returned to Raleigh for the beginning of another legislative session. The opening gavel of this session should signal a new beginning for the future prosperity of our state.

This year, however, the taxpayers of North Carolina have every reason to be fearful of what might happen down on West Jones Street.

For more than two months we have heard our leaders warn us that another huge budget shortfall is in store for the coming fiscal year. They have told us they might need to expand our current sales taxes to include services such as haircuts and car repairs. And we heard them say they might need to raise the tax on beer, wine and cigarettes -- because we apparently pay less in taxes on those items than do our friends just north of us in Virginia.

Of course, don't forget about their backup plan -- the continuation of the so-called "temporary taxes" that were implemented in 2001 and were set to expire in 2003. And last but not least, they talk of a statewide lottery to fill the holes they've created by spending more than we citizens can afford to give in taxes.

I wonder if the politicians ever stop and think, "How will this tax affect the freedom of our people?" "Will the citizens of our state have more or less freedom at the end of this legislative session?"

I think it's fair to say that every year we lose a little more freedom after each legislative session because the politicians in Raleigh commit more and more of our tax dollars to projects and programs that benefit a few and serve the least.

In fact, the politicians who make our laws and their bureaucratic soldiers are only making it harder for average citizens like you and me to fully enjoy the freedoms our founders fought so hard to protect.

Now don't get me wrong. There are a few true citizen leaders fighting to protect our freedom everyday in the General Assembly. But they are few and far between and battling an entrenched force.

The special interest groups, lobbyists, and state workers are all vying for their piece of the pie. And each piece they get will cost you and me billions of hard-earned dollars.

The more they take and spend, the harder we have to work to foot their bill. And the more we work the less time we have to spend with our families, friends and doing the things we enjoy.

As President Bush said, "In America's ideal of freedom, citizens find the dignity and security of economic independence, instead of laboring on the edge of subsistence."

I believe it's time to begin a new freedom movement in our state and nation by supporting leaders who will put our needs above their own. By supporting ideas like a Taxpayer's Bill of Rights, one that will curb wasteful government spending, we can increase freedom for every citizen in the years to come.