[Vision2020] The Government should never be allowed to control the people.

[cjs]

THE PRINCIPLES BEHIND  THE PUBLIC PURPOSE DOCTRINE ARE AS OLD AS THE REPUBLIC. A FUNDAMENTAL PREMISE OF AMERICAN GOVERNMENT IS THE PRINCIPAL THAT THE PEOPLE CONTROL THE GOVERNMENT. THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD NEVER BE ALLOWED TO CONTROL THE PEOPLE. STRUCTURAL SAFEGUARDS DESIGNED TO PROTECT THE PEOPLE FROM AN OVERREACHING GOVERNMENT HAVE LONG BEEN PART OF AMERICAN DEMOCRACY. AMONG THESE SAFEGUARDS IS THAT PUBLIC MONIES SHOULD ONLY BE USED FOR PUBLIC PURPOSES. INDEED, THOMAS JEFFERSON WROTE:



Phil Roderick