TOD 02.21.08

Is a man’s life better off if he married an excellent wife? Of course. But if he chose poorly or if she isn’t making his life better, should the government step in and provide him with what his wife is not? Of course not. Is a man’s life better off if he has good friends? Of course. But if he doesn’t, may he demand the state send him an enriching government-delivered social circle? Of course not.

See, relationships matter, and one of the ways we acknowledge their importance is by not trying to replace them with government substitutes. That’s why it bothers me that so many Americans seem to think it’s the business of government to make sure every child has the benefits that come from having great parents.

Parenting matters tremendously, and though I desperately want all children to have great ones, I don’t believe it is the business of government to step in and meet the needs which God designed parents to satisfy. I dread the dangers of a million bad parents, but I dread the danger of one giant nanny state even more.