As the federal government spends recklessly and nationalizes private companies, we see that Washington is not likely to reform. Its main interest is not our prosperity and liberty.

The crowning event -- the president fires the CEO, and General Motors becomes Government Motors. Now the fledgling Obama administration mixes automotive engineering with social engineering. If we survive the trampling of the Constitution, the massive spending and taxation process will doom our children and grandchildren to poverty.

Unlike in Western movies, no hero on a speeding horse will jump onto the engine and stop the train. With the runaway Washington spending machine, we cannot expect a miracle rescue.

A "top-down" solution isn't likely, as government addicts cannot be expected to cure themselves. No compelling reason calls them to break away from the country club atmosphere and huge supply of money that ensures their comfort and re-election.

A "bottom-up" solution isn't likely. Public schools no longer educate students about the early history of our Republic and the content of our Constitution.

People at the bottom are no more likely to reject their government benefits than is a congressman.

That leaves the little group of patriots in the middle, a mixed group of people from all walks of life who learned about our founding fathers and their constitutional government.

These patriots are the only ones with both the education and incentive to save our Republic from economic and constitutional disaster. With no help from Washington, and no help from the masses who pay no income tax, there is only one obvious course of action: The state governments must confront the excesses of Washington politicians.

Resolutions have been filed in 28 state legislatures to inform the federal government that the state intends to exercise its 10th Amendment rights and no longer accept federal mandates that go beyond the bounds of the Constitution. That is a good first step.

But won't Obama just cut off their highway and school funds? Most likely. The states must discover their unique power to protect their governments and citizens.

The states can call a Constitutional Convention to repeal the 16th Amendment, eliminating the federal income tax. Our tax money would avoid the tremendous bureaucratic expense on money that goes through Washington.

The 17th Amendment could also be repealed, returning to states the right to appoint their two senators. Public election of senators, ratified in 1912, has seen two serious challenges to its constitutional integrity recently:

-- Huge sums of money from a national political party, or other sources outside your state, can influence the election of your senators. Buy their election, if you will. This should be a major target for campaign finance reform.

-- The Constitution originally provided for state legislatures to appoint their senators, giving them a way to protect states from overbearing federal power. The massive concentration of power in Washington makes the states feel like servants of the federal government.

No nation has enjoyed liberty and prosperity like our great nation. A short visit to another country proves that God has blessed us in a special way.

The time has come for patriots with an appreciation of our rich heritage to step up and help restore the rule of the Constitution that fostered our unparalleled success. Freedom has responsibilities.

In the original colonies under tyrannical British rule, only about a third of the population was in favor of declaring independence. The only other option was tyranny.

On our present course, we cannot maintain our freedom for at least two reasons:

-- Massive deficit spending will bring crippling inflation in just a year or two. Massive taxation will follow, and we will sink into Third World poverty. Fiscal responsibility must be restored immediately.

-- Losing the "culture war" to the basest elements among us will cripple constitutional government. The Constitution was designed to work only for a moral people who govern themselves.

Without godly behavior, immoral and unrestrained people must be ruled by a strong hand. That strong hand will surely present itself.

True patriots must work on two fronts: First, rally their local and state governments to challenge the federal government to assume its constitutional role. Second, preach the gospel. That is the only hope to restore morality and responsibility sufficient to govern ourselves.

Bob Mason, minister for Aberdeen Church of Christ, lives in Pinebluff.