All U.S. citizens (Black citizens in particular) should completely refrain from depending on the Federal Government. And that does not simply mean welfare (food stamps, checks, and Medicaid) but political party dependency, the Federal courts system, or any bureaucratic government system operating. We need to learn to handle our own business instead of the government handling it for us.

Some may agree that more government is needed because of the capitalist system operating in the country, but this is not always the answer; the answer is to allot more power to the people, and to diminish the power of the government, which means self-sufficiency in the spirit of collective consideration thus defaming the thrust of capitalist selfishness.

The political culture of the United States can be summed up in a word: individualism. This embaphasis is found in the bill of rights, which guarantees freedom from undue government interference. It was this individualism that nineteenth century poet and philoshepher Ralph Waldo Emerson had in mind when he said, " the government that governs best is the government that governs least."

But taking Emerson literally would find little support among the majority of this nations people, who recognize government is necessary to defend the country, operate highway systems and schools, and maintain law and order.

Moreover, government has grown into a vast complex welfare state, a range of government agencies and programs that provide benefits to the population. Government benefits begin even before birth (through parental nutrition programs) and continue into old age (though social security and Medicare).

Some programs are especially important to the poor, who are not well served by our capitalist economic system; nevertheless, students, farmers, homeowners, small business operators, veterans, performing artist, and even giant corporations also get various subsides and supports. In fact, a majority of U.S adults look to government for at least part of their income (Caplow et al., 1982; divine, 1985;Barlett& Steele, 1998).

Today's welfare state is the result of gradual increase in size and scope of government. Back in 1789, when the presence of the federal government amounted to little more than a flag in most communities, the entire federal budget was a mere $4.5 million dollars ($1.50 for every person in our nation). Since then it has steadily risen reaching 2 trillion dollars in 2000 (a percapita figure of $7,100).

Similarly when this nation was founded, one government employee served as many as 1,800 citizens. Today, there is one official for every fourteen citizens-A total of 20 million government employees, more than are engaged in manufacturing (U.S census bureau, 2001).

© April 2006 By CR Hamilton