[Dont_Tread_On_Me_888]

Believe me, I am not trying to rain on the parade. (Check my tagline).

But for God's sake, what did President Bush mean when he said:

"Liberty for all does not mean independence from one another."

Before I blow a gasket, can anyone put a positive spin on this frightening sentence?

[coconutt2000]

In America's ideal of freedom, the exercise of rights is ennobled by service, and mercy, and a heart for the weak. Liberty for all does not mean independence from one another. Our nation relies on men and women who look after a neighbor and surround the lost with love.- GWB

Bush is saying that no man is an island. Essentially, if we are going to promote liberty for all, we cannot pretend as if the oppression of our neighbors does not affect us, and therefore ignore it.

[hocndoc]

Here's my interpretation:

Humans were created as communal creatures. We are not independent of one another, but instead, do better when we are in our family, our community, and our church.

Specifically for Christians, Jesus told us to care for those who are our neighbors. As a matter of fact, the Hebrews were given a similar command to care for the alien in their midst and for the homeless and hungry.

In my opinion, this obligation is mine, a personal obligation to my Savior. No one else can actually claim this obligation: it is not the right of another person to demand that I help them. But it is my duty to God.

I haven't found that the Government is the best steward for my obligation to care for others, so I prefer a limited government. There are a few functions that the government can do better than my family and I could do alone, and quite a few functions that are better when done as a group effort. I prefer to join with other Christians and pro-life groups to follow my obligation to God to help my neighbor.