I do not think in term of what the government should be doing at any particular time, other than reducing its size, cutting taxes, balancing the budget, eliminating laws and regulations, and getting the hell out of my life. That is freedom. That is small government. I guess I am the one that has no mission, but I do have vision. The author shouldn't split hairs: vision <-- mission <-- goal & objectives <-- action. The GOP lacks all of these.
Amen! Freedom and limited government are NOT “means to a mission” - they are simply a recognition of the natural limits on what any government is competent or ethically justified to do.