The best Government is that which governs least

On Line Opinion ^ | 9 March, 2011 | Peter Coulson

[AustralianConservative]

Briefly, let me outline why it is preferable for a Government to be restricted in its actions for the protection of rights and liberties. There has long-been the recognition that a stable society requires a government with certain powers to facilitate an orderly and secure society within which its individuals can thrive.

One of the first principles however of allowing a state to be ruled by a central governing power is that the powers given up by individuals to the government must be regulated and restricted lest the power of the government to coerce individuals be improperly and excessively applied.

[...]

In relation to the latest announcements by the Gillard Government, those of gay marriage and euthanasia, some might say that the rights of marriage and death are being trampled by the state. However, by way of response I would say that there has never been a right to marriage by homosexual couples. The power to grant such a right does not lie with the state but with the church for the fundamental reason that marriage is not a creation of the state in legislation but a creation of religion as stipulated in the Bible. Thus proponents of gay marriage are not resisting the withdrawal of a right, but advocating the creation of a new one; one that is not within the authority of the state to provide

[AustralianConservative]

http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=11719&page=1

[Christian4Bush]

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