In the year 1910, government expenditures represented roughly 6.8% of the GDP. Today, our government accounts for over 40% of the GDP. Even more alarmingly, it borrows roughly thirty-five cents out of every dollar it spends.

When our founders created America, they clearly outlined the proper role of government - to secure the rights of its citizens. At its core, government was meant to create an environment in which people could enjoy life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

However, as America grew and became more prosperous, progressivism began to dominate the political spectrum. Starting in the early 20th century with Woodrow Wilson and Theodore Roosevelt, our leaders established an increasingly larger role for government. Although they never rejected the notion of capitalism, they believed government should control the free market and care for anyone who fell behind.

As time went on, progressive politicians such as Harry Truman and Jimmy Carter began to promote government as the answer to every problem. Instead of creating an environment in which every American could craft their own destiny, leaders such as these believed government should guarantee a certain standard of living – that it should prevent any one American from becoming too rich or too poor.

While such a policy made for good politics, it led to the creation of program after program and brought us to the point we are today - a startling place for America. We are the richest and most prosperous nation in the history of mankind, yet we have built for ourselves a government so large and expensive that even the wealthiest nation on earth can no longer afford it.

Sooner or later, Americans must accept that government cannot provide the answer to every problem. We must once again put government in its place and realize that the strength of our nation begins with its people.

Not so long ago, individual citizens saved for retirement, planned for their future, and dealt directly with their doctor instead of relying on government. The result was a country that flourished economically and a government that kept its debt under control – a far cry from where we find ourselves today.

You and I still hold the ability to make the 21st century another American century. However, we must reject the notion that we are unfit to manage our own lives and return to a system in which our people drive America - not Washington.