WWSD

By Pat Berkheim

Contributing writer

What would Superman do? What would the defender of truth, justice and the American Way do. Does truth, justice, and the American Way imply more than every man for himself? Would Superman support government help for those in need?

"Governments are instituted among men from the consent of the governed to secure for the governed life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," The American way attempts to strike a balance between liberty and equality. Our government has a role in finding this balance. Extreme individual liberty creates inequality and a lack of justice. Patrick Henry cried "give me liberty or give me death" because he did not want government to infringe on his"right" to keep slaves. Extreme equality creates no incentive to pursue happiness and no justice of reward for the exceptional in our society.

The people of the United States established the constitution "to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessing of liberty to ourselves and our posterity."

The American Way provides our representatives with the authority and responsibility to make laws that provide justice for all, especially the poor, children and the elderly. Laws that promote the general welfare should aide the education and health of the citizens. Citizens disagree about what the laws should be but, as Jefferson said, "every difference of opinion is not a difference of principle. To violate the laws' equal protection of the minority would be oppression."

John F. Kennedy said "if a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich." I think Superman would support an American Way that includes social security, gender equality, and health care for everyone.