Staff Reports
In today’s political landscape, the struggle between government power and individual liberty often feels like something out of a high-fantasy epic. Our leaders, much like the wizards of Tolkien’s world, are entrusted with great authority and face the constant temptation to use it for what they claim is the “greater good.” But as history and literature both warn, unchecked power can quickly turn the wise into tyrants. The current debates over government intervention, regulatory expansion, and the ever-growing reach of federal agencies are a stark reminder that the line between protector and oppressor is perilously thin.
Recent pushes for expanded government regulation, often justified as necessary for public safety or economic stability, have raised serious concerns among those who value personal freedom and limited government. While some regulation is necessary, the reality is that excessive government micromanagement stifles innovation, burdens businesses, and ultimately slows economic growth. The Trump administration’s regulatory reforms, which dramatically reduced the cost and scope of federal rules, proved that a lighter touch from Washington can unleash prosperity and opportunity for all Americans. In contrast, the explosion of new regulations under the current administration has imposed trillions in new costs, making it harder for families and entrepreneurs to get ahead.
The temptation for leaders to wield power “for the people” is as old as civilization itself, but the Founders understood that true wisdom lies in restraint. Just as Gandalf refused the One Ring, knowing its corrupting influence, our leaders must resist the urge to centralize authority and dictate every aspect of our lives. When government agencies become all-seeing and all-knowing, the result is not safety, but surveillance and a loss of trust. Americans have seen firsthand how government overreach—whether through intrusive surveillance, censorship, or heavy-handed mandates—erodes the very freedoms that make this country exceptional.
Calls for ever more government programs, higher taxes, and new bureaucracies are often sold as solutions to society’s problems, but they come at a steep price. Every new regulation, every expansion of federal power, is another shackle on the individual’s ability to pursue happiness and prosperity. The lesson from both history and fiction is clear: when the machinery of government is used too aggressively, it risks becoming the very evil it was meant to fight. We must be vigilant to ensure that our “eagles”—the tools of government—are used sparingly and wisely, not as instruments of control.
Ultimately, the choice between wise governance and authoritarian overreach lies with the American people. If we want leaders who act as Gandalf—humble, principled, and restrained—we must demand accountability and prioritize the values of liberty and limited government. The alternative is a slide toward the Saruman model: a government that, in its arrogance, believes it knows best and is willing to sacrifice freedom for the illusion of order. The path forward is clear—embrace personal responsibility, defend constitutional limits, and remember that power, if left unchecked, will always seek to expand at the expense of the people it claims to serve.
