|
There were interesting side-by-side editorials in last Sunday’s Chattanooga Times Free Press (5-25-08) that caught my eye because they both expressed something I have often talked about. That is, they touched on the primary function of government. In one of the paper’s editorials, Tennessee governor, Phil Bredesen, was quoted as saying, “The purpose of government is to do things for the benefit of the citizens ...” Of course, I take the governor’s comment “... for the benefit of the citizens ...” to mean “for the benefit of the citizens who cannot reasonably provide that benefit for themselves,” such as law enforcement, national defense, roads, schools and so on. For example, I do not believe the government should be responsible for what people drive or wear, or whether they have a television or healthcare or even a job. Those are things citizens provide for themselves as members of a free society. Noted professor and columnist Dr. Walter Williams was a bit more succinct in his column. He wrote, “If there is one clear basic function of government, it’s to protect citizens from criminals.” Again, I wouldn’t limit that to protection “from criminals,” but protection from any threat, foreign or domestic.
But, in spirit, I could not agree with these two gentlemen more. I have often stated my belief that the primary responsibility of any government is to protect its citizens. Dr. Williams defined it as the “one clear basic function of government,” I define it as “the primary responsibility of government,” and Gov. Bredesen defined it simply as “the purpose of government.” But we are all basically saying the same thing: First and foremost, government ~ whether local, state or federal ~ is charged with protecting the public safety.
Of course, after public safety, there are a wide range of additional responsibilities of government ~ developing and maintaining the infrastructure, wisely administering taxes and tariffs, promoting high quality public education, that sort of thing ~ but first and foremost, the number one statutory obligation of government is to protect the people. Public safety is fundamental. It is our primary obligation. On the federal level that includes national security. On the state and local levels ~ the levels of Tennessee and Bradley County ~ that includes effective, vigilant and well-trained emergency services and law enforcement. And, as has often been said, national security begins with local security.
Public safety for all Bradley County citizens has been our main objective here at the BCSO since I took office in September of 2006. And it will continue to be our main objective as long as I am Sheriff. We are fortunate in that the men and women who serve as Bradley County deputies and Cleveland City police officers have proven themselves to be professional, motivated and highly capable of fulfilling their duties. Our emergency personnel are also some of the best in this region. I am happy to acknowledge them all.
I understand that funding public safety can be somewhat of a challenge during slow economic times, or when county revenues fall short of projections. But economies fluctuate and, even with the high fuel costs we’re experiencing right now, I am certain that our economy will rebound. The main thing is to remain flexible, creative, resilient and united.
I want to believe that local government shares the opinion expressed by our governor and such learned governmental scholars as Dr. Walter Williams, and they, too, share the view that public safety is their primary concern. They have a daunting task, considering the needs of a community our size, when it comes to infrastructure and education. I don’t envy them. There is just no way everyone can be pleased with all the decisions they are called on to make. But our country was not born from tranquility or peaceful ascension. We, as Americans, are tough. We’re independent. We built the greatest nation on earth through unity and hard work, through trial and error, and with the good intentions of a people who want to improve the world in which they live. What has always carried us forward is the fact that we don’t like to lose and we never give up. We adapt to meet any situation head on. Sometimes we are forced to pay with the blood of our people, such as now in Iraq; such as those whose names are engraved on the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, DC. But we have always prevailed because, despite our political or ideological differences, we have always worked shoulder-to-shoulder to preserve our society, to protect the public safety.
And lest anyone misinterpret my meaning and think I believe in big government, let me say loud and clear: I do not. I believe in limited, but effective, government. I also believe the most vital area in which government should be effective is the area of public safety.
Bradley County is one small component of this great nation. But we are an important component, and we have tremendous potential. Working together with determination and unity, we can build a prosperous future for ourselves and our children.
If you would like to contact us here at the Sheriff's Office, you can call (423) 728-7300. Or email me directly at comments@bradleysheriff.com. Our snail mail address is 2290 Blythe Ave., SE, Cleveland TN 37311. I try hard to answer all letters and emails I receive. I may sometimes be a bit late with a reply, but it is important to me that people take time to write, and I do try to respond. |
