“Always love your country,” Novak advised the next generation, “but never trust your government.”
Robert Novak was a principled libertarian, even if he did not officially carry the title. Distancing government from the culture of self-respect and initiative, he prized this country, a nation where men can be free and bravely face any obstacle thrown at them.
Ronald Reagan's amiable conservatism set the debate for rolling back the welfare state, yet still the United States is drowning in debt. The Gipper's telegenic personality and confident communication lead us to "Trust but verify". After the unceasing failure of our government to promote the general welfare, Robert Novak's cautious conservatism forces us to focus on the values which made this government great, a health distrust of government and an insistent hope in the American citizen to do what is best for himself.
In the wake of burgeoning deficits, an exploding national debt, and dwindling income, the American People have not only grown less trustworthy of government, but have outright demanded that it get back, get away, and leave well enough alone.
Mr. Novak's trenchant journalism will be sorely missed. Yet his cautious conservatism is taking shape as we speak in the Halls of Congress. Tea Party Patriots, Blue Dog Democrats running scared from the status quo liberalism of the Obama-Pelosi-Reid trifecta, and even the Kucinich-Sanders ultra-liberals are getting fed up with government as usual.
Big Government does not spend our money wisely. The Ponzi schemes of Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security are going backrupt as we speak. Our veterans are not getting the care due to them for their service to this country. Our children are not getting the education that they deserve, and the government is undermining opportunties for them to earn and expand because of hostile business climate weakened by taxation and over-regulation.
"Always love your country," Nowak counseled. Care for the land where you were raised and where you live now. Seek the best for yourself, your family, and your nation.
"Never trust your government." Political machines and partisan divides do not define us. We the People choose what to be, what to do, and what to have. Our work ethic, our dreams, our goals, all shape the greatness that makes the United States, not the government.