Until September 11^th, many Americans considered the government their enemy.   The catch phrases "big government" and "tax and spend" have been tossed around in every campaign in recent memory.  Radio talk shows encourage this negative attitude on a daily basis.  The constant barrage of anti-government sentiment has fostered in many Americans a distrust of the very entity that supports and protects this country. 

The prevalence of this growing distrust is well documented.  In 1964, a University of Michigan study found that 62% of the people trusted the federal government.  That number had dwindled to 19% in 1994.

            September 11^th was a wake up call.  In this time of unprecedented crisis, it was elected officials and publicly funded institutions like police and fire departments that became our strength and salvation.  These and many other entities, using taxpayers' money, provided various forms of relief for those affected by this tragedy.    Our various levels of government and dedicated public servants proved strong and effective during this crisis.  But in order for our country to remain strong and our leaders prepared we must fund appropriate agencies adequately. 

And yet prior to September 11^th many Americans eagerly awaited their $300 per person tax rebate check to come in the mail.  This money, part of a $2.5 billion, 10-year tax cut package was touted as needed to "reimburse" taxpayers for taxes they have "overpaid" in the past.  And yet the federal government has now spent our country back into a deficit because of the enormous financial burden created by the terrorist attacks for which we were not prepared.

Some of the first programs that could be affected by this new lack of funds are the ones that provided the main support for local police and fire departments.  In fact, just this year, a new $100 million program administered by FEMA awarded more than $1.5 million to 27 fire departments in South Carolina to pay for training and equipment.  This program was based on the very successful Community Oriented Policing Service (COPS) program that put 100,000 more police officers on our streets.  The COPS program has helped hire hundreds of new officers in New York and Washington, and throughout South Carolina communities.  

These programs were once considered a product of big government and a means for politicians to bring pork back to their districts.  We now realize that they are vital to our personal security.  After all, who knows where the next crisis may arise.

Government must be proactive and prepared in advance of an emergency. We cannot afford not to have the infrastructure in place well before the needs arise.  That means even in times of prosperity, we must take the advice given by financial analysts to those managing their personal assets to save any surpluses for a rainy day. 

In this country we enjoy the freedom to speak out against our government.  I wholeheartedly support this right.  But I ask the American people to consider the enormous task government faces in balancing the needs of its people and protecting the freedoms we all enjoy.  

Taxes are what we pay for a safe, secure and sane society.  Our system of government is not perfect, and neither are the people we elect.  But as fallible as we are, we are all working in our country's best interest. 

As I look back over events since September 11^th, I've developed a renewed sense of purpose and respect.  I sincerely that hope all of us now have a better understanding of who and what our real enemy is.

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