Graves: Role of government should be limited

Sixth District Congressman Sam Graves reiterated his belief that the best government is less government:

We the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Those 52 words begin the Constitution of the United States of America. Last week, we celebrated Constitution Day. On September 17, 1787 thirty-nine men signed the document in Philadelphia. The document set forth the framework of the government and its relationship with the people. Today it is still the oldest written Constitution in use.

Our Founding Fathers wrote a document that put the people in charge of their own government. It was not a perfect document and has been amended 27 times. However, the basic framework of our government has never changed. This document was meant to ensure that our government was always a government for the people, of the people and by the people.

I am concerned about what is happening in Washington today. The federal government has expanded beyond the limited role envisioned in this Constitution. Each day seems to bring news of another government bureaucracy that has been created, a private company that has been bailed out or taken over by the federal government.

The best way to honor our Constitution is to follow it. We need to bring some sanity back to Washington and it starts with both the Administration and lawmakers following the Constitution.