Human beings act in a variety of irrational ways, but all of them seem capable of making reasonable choices if given a fair chance. Democratic institutions can work only if everyone does their best to impart knowledge and to encourage rationality. Yet today I see many examples of irrationality.

Especially in a country where it is now generally understood that the economic success of the country depends on individual self-reliance rather than state handouts, Congress annually deliberates over whether the increase in government welfare programs should be large or small.

Where the federal government spends too much, Congress annually deliberates whether to raise the budget by many billions or a few billion every year.

Where individual liberty depends on strong local government, Congress annually deliberates over whether large or small steps should be taken to bring the states in line with federal policy.

And where terrorism is an enemy bound to destroy us, certain members of Congress annually deliberate over means of “co-existing” with despots and monsters.

Perhaps we are overly sensitive to the judgments of those who rule the mass communication media. “Enlightened” commentators daily condemn us to political oblivion; conservatism, we are told, is out-of-date. New solutions and new ideas, they say, are needed to fix our world.

People who mean to deceive us tell these lies. These people often do things that the average American would not approve if they did not hide their actions behind words that sound nice.

For example, people who promote laziness may call it welfare. People who worship false gods may call it multiculturalism. People who attack our faith and values may call it intellectualism. People who spread filth may call it free speech. People who endorse perversion may call it lifestyle. And people who kill our unborn may call it choice.

Circumstances do change. So do the problems that circumstances shape. But the principles that govern the solution to the problems do not. The challenge is not to find new or different truths, but to learn how to apply the truths we have to the problems of the contemporary world.

As conservatives, we have little interest in streamlining government or in making it more efficient, for we mean to reduce its size.

We do not undertake to promote welfare, for we intend to extend economic freedom.

Our wish is not to inaugurate new programs but to cancel old ones that violate the Constitution, have failed in their purpose or that impose on the people an unneeded financial burden.

The next time you watch the news and see something that makes you say, “That’s not right. Things should change,” remember that it will not change unless someone does something somewhere to make it change.