Eternal vigilance is the price of freedom

As the old adage has it, “Eternal Vigilance is the Price of Freedom.”

That’s true both for citizens and those elected to represent them in public office. A good example is the experience of public bodies such as the Legislature and local governmental bodies like county commissions, city councils or commissions, school districts and the like.

It’s applicable because one cannot rest just because good policy has been passed or is in place. The temptation is to do just that — fight the battle, win some of the fights, dust yourself off and go home. The problem is that those who oppose good freedom-based policies don’t rest.  

The problem is that freedom lovers too often fight battles, while their opponents fight wars.

Although they may lose a fight, they don’t give up. They come back, again and again, and again.  

Like water dripping incessantly on a rock, relentless endurance has its effect. It’s precisely why those of a more conservative perspective must learn the discipline of “keeping on keeping on.” They must resist the temptation to fight and win the battle and go home.

It’s understandable why that has too often occurred in the past. People who care about important issues also care about other things. They have lives. They have businesses, jobs, families and other interests and responsibilities. It’s also why they must stay engaged to ensure that good ideas and good public policy not only prevail but endure.

Are there really challenges to good policies, once they’re in place?

One may think not, but history proves otherwise, even right here in our state.

During the recent North Dakota Legislative Session, with the state flush with money and contemplating various ways to offer tax relief, a proposal to increase the gas tax was gaining momentum. Only after it came to light and resistance mounted was the idea was dropped. The concept that North Dakota is a conservative state focused upon low taxation had to be reiterated for adherence to that ideal to carry the day.

Another example is what most would deem a “no-brainer.” A few years ago, the North Dakota Legislature voted unanimously (both House and Senate) in passing a bill which protected citizens from losing the entire value of their home, including their equity (not just past due taxes) if they fell behind on property taxes and their home was sold to collect them. The previous law allowed that! Two short years later, a bill to completely reverse this commonsense reform and reinstate the abusive law actually narrowly passed one chamber of the Legislature before the other prevented the effort’s demise—also a good reminder of the wisdom of bicameral legislative bodies.

Eternal vigilance goes beyond those elected to office — ultimately, it rests with those who elect them — with the citizens. Only when it was brought to light, this legislative session, that an effort was underway to sacrifice a proud tradition of sunshine in lawmaking was the effort unceremoniously shelved. A proposed rule change would have done away with North Dakota’s unique requirement that every bill introduced must have a committee hearing and a floor vote, rather than simply being squashed by powerful leaders. People became aware of it, shined the spotlight on it and, as the tradition itself demonstrates, sunshine proved the best disinfectant as the idea disappeared from proposed rule changes.

The lesson is clear. Those who are passionate about good public policy, freedom and preserving the great state and nation we love must never rest. Of course, no one has the time to stay attuned to every proposal or every threat to freedom and transparency afoot in the halls of government. That’s why organizations like American Experiment North Dakota are so important, both to inform and to engage.

Indeed, “eternal vigilance is the price of freedom.” As Ronald Regan once put it, freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. Our challenge is to ensure that this generation doesn’t squander it.