Recently, my wife bought a mint plant. When she bought it, I advised her that it should be planted in a container. You see, if a mint plant is not planted in some sort of container, it will become a weed. It is an invasive plant. It can quickly take over an area, choking out other plants and requiring constant efforts to keep it under control. That mint plant was placed in a pot and is doing marvelously, but it looks as if it would love to escape its container and go wild.
Our Federal government is like that mint plant. Our Founding Fathers wisely placed its newly formed government into the container of the U.S. Constitution, knowing full well that if the government managed to get outside that Constitution, it would grow out of control. The Constitution was intended to limit the size and scope of the Federal government. Unfortunately, our Federal government has become a weed. It has escaped its container. It has become invasive. Folks like me are working hard to keep it from becoming worse, but we are apparently outnumbered by those who simply do not care, or they actually like the weed.
We hope to enjoy our mint plant. Its aroma is terrific, and it can be used in many delicious recipes. I also have been told that well-placed mint plants can help prevent ants from entering your home. However, the really important object that will make that plant remain useful to us is the container. The same is true in our country. The government will only be a blessing if it remains within the confines of the Constitution.
Think about this the next time you go to the polls.
