We can all recall many childhood instances when a momentous life changing goal had been reached. Like, when we learned to walk, catch a ball, or tie our own shoes. But perhaps nothing was as quintessentially Americana like the day when training wheels were taken off our bikes. With constraints removed, we were free to ride faster and ride farther. Free to do things on just two wheels we once sat on the steps and watched bigger kids do. Before that moment we could only dream about doing those things by ourselves. That moment marked our liberation from limitations. Later in life, as parents we too put the training wheels on our kids bikes, albeit temporarily. Like our parents, we were confident and nervous, but we knew that in no time at all, our kids, like the many generations who rode before them, would find their own balance. They would conquer their fear and weaknesses and apex another seemingly insurmountable challenge.

It was these experiences and more which taught us we didn’t need a crutch to succeed. No one to hold the bike steady anymore, no one to watch every little wobble we made. It was up to us when we inevitably fell. With little fanfare we simply picked up our bikes, brushed off, got right back on and rode away. Losing the training wheels became our symbolic transfer from depending on others to doing things for ourselves. If we rode irresponsibly, it hurt and we paid the price for our own stupidity and poor judgment. Transversely, when we were cautious and cognizant of our surroundings, dangers and pitfalls, we were rewarded and enjoyed the ride.

Even as most of us have taken our own destiny under our wings, accepted responsibility for our actions and earn our own way to make a life, no matter how humble, many others need taxpayers and the government to ride their bikes. Taxpayers, forced by the hand of liberal policies of the government over the years have created an entitlement subculture. Millions of people on the welfare roles have chosen to have the taxpayers support them and their poor life choices, feed their children, pay for their healthcare, housing and even cars. The very premise of such a guiltless, irresponsible and inherently lazy mentality is contrary to the ideals which make America the greatest democracy since the history of civilization. America came to be with the understanding that nothing is free. Generations before us have paid with their blood, sweat, tears and lives. Such a sacrifice renders those who opt to take from those who work for their money and pay their own way, vacuous leeches. But, it is not all their fault.

By not putting strict standards and expectations on those who are in need of temporary help, the government has enabled those who must now rely on taxpayers to pay for every aspect of their lives. Sadly, what was likely a temporary setback from someone falling off their bike the government arbitrarily decided they can only ride with training wheels now becomes permanent. They quickly learn that as long as they have training wheels, they need not rely on themselves as there is no reward better than having to not sacrifice and still being able to ride the bike. Without any incentive to drive people towards personal achievement and to assume responsibility for their own actions and lives, taxpayers will support these free riders from cradle to grave. This mentality and the governments complicity in creating it, oppresses a large segment of our society. It also robs us.

We are robbed of those who could have been inventors or Doctors. It takes away the person who perhaps chose a life filled with selfless acts and by simply listening could have stopped a mother from aborting her baby. A minister who could work in his community and rally the people to take on a cause bigger than themselves. Fact is the government and liberalism’s infatuation with victimization of certain cultures, callous and malicious belief that others cannot do for themselves and condescension towards individual liberty robs us all. Until the government decides to take the training wheels off, remove their hands from the back of the bike and let the American people ride, they will never experience real freedom.

America cannot afford to have a government thinking it can do better than we can. We can’t afford to support more and more people who are increasingly refusing to support themselves. And we cannot rob people of their individual dignity by letting them continue to believe they cannot succeed. It’s time the government turns around and goes back in the house and let us ride our bikes once and for all. We have all fallen before and even though it may have hurt, we’re still riding. That’s what makes America great; A free people without constraints. An America where people ride free, not “Free Ride.”