Government exists to protect us from each other. Where government has gone beyond its limits is in deciding to protect us from ourselves.

As a governor I am naturally inclined to focus on the domestic side of protecting the United States.

The general who advances without coveting fame and retreats without fearing disgrace whose only thought is to protect his country and do good service for his sovereign is the jewel of the kingdom.

Politics ought to be the part-time profession of every citizen who would protect the rights and privileges of free people and who would preserve what is good and fruitful in our national heritage.

We are persuaded that good Christians will always be good citizens and that where righteousness prevails among individuals the Nation will be great and happy. Thus while just government protects all in their religious rights true religion affords to government it's surest support.

There are several good protections against temptation but the surest is cowardice.

And that's really what's happening in this country is a violation of the First Commandment. We have become a country entrenched in idolatry and that idolatry is the dependency upon our government. We're supposed to depend upon God for our protection and our provision and for our daily bread not for our government.

God's angels often protect his servants from potential enemies.

We have a moral responsibility to save wild places like the arctic refuge for future generations and that is why our country has remained committed to its protection for nearly 50 years.

I'd like to think that the actions we take today will allow others in the future to discover the wonders of landscapes we helped protect but never had the chance to enjoy ourselves.