And we can celebrate when we have a government that has earned

The words of John Boehner strike like a call from the watchtower: “And we can celebrate when we have a government that has earned back the trust of the people it serves… when we have a government that honors our Constitution and stands up for the values that have made America, America: economic freedom, individual liberty, and personal responsibility.” In these words, we hear the ancient cry of all peoples throughout history: the longing not for rulers who dominate, but for guardians who serve. Boehner’s vision is not simply of political order, but of a covenant—where rulers and ruled are bound together by mutual respect, where trust is the coin of governance, and where values are the anchor of a nation’s soul.

The ancients understood this truth well. In the republic of Rome, the people placed their faith in the Senate and the magistrates to guard their liberties. But when ambition replaced duty, and trust was shattered, the republic fell into tyranny. Cicero himself, speaking before the Senate, declared that a state without the confidence of its people is like a body without breath—it may have form, but it has no life. Boehner’s words echo this ancient wisdom: that celebration is not in the splendor of power, but in the return of trust between the governed and their guardians.

What, then, are the values he names? Economic freedom—the right to labor, to create, to prosper without undue chains. Individual liberty—the sacred fire that allows every person to speak, to worship, to live according to conscience. Personal responsibility—the balance that ensures freedom does not decay into chaos, but is guided by virtue and duty. These values are not ornaments to be displayed, but foundations upon which a people must stand. Without them, a nation may boast of might, but it will crumble inwardly, like a temple whose pillars have rotted unseen.

History gives us stories that prove this truth. Consider the founding of America itself. The colonies rose not merely against taxes, but against a government that no longer honored its covenant with the people. The Declaration of Independence was not rhetoric alone—it was a demand that rulers once again respect liberty and the dignity of those they governed. And so a new nation was born, built upon the principle that authority must flow from the consent of the governed. This was the beginning of a government striving to be worthy of trust, and though the journey has been fraught, the ideal remains eternal.

Yet Boehner’s words also carry a warning: trust, once lost, is not easily regained. A government may speak lofty words, but if it breaks faith with the people—through corruption, dishonor, or neglect—its foundations tremble. The people may obey out of fear, but they will not celebrate. True loyalty cannot be compelled; it must be earned through justice, transparency, and adherence to principle. Only then may a nation rejoice, for only then has the government proven itself not master, but servant.

The lesson for all generations is clear: guard well the covenant between ruler and ruled. Let governments remember that their strength is not in armies nor in treasuries, but in the trust of the people. Let citizens remember that freedom is not a gift handed down, but a responsibility lived out. A state built on trust, liberty, and responsibility will stand like an oak against the storms of time. A state that forsakes these will wither, no matter how tall its towers rise.

Practical actions follow: demand accountability from leaders, but also embody responsibility in your own life. Defend liberty, not only for yourself, but for your neighbor. Use your economic freedom not only for gain, but for the betterment of your community. And above all, honor the Constitution not as an artifact, but as a living covenant that requires the vigilance of every generation. In doing so, you become not only a citizen of your nation, but a guardian of its soul.