This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

After the recent general election, thousands took to the streets to protest because of their concerns about the new president.

While people are free to voice their concerns, and have a duty to do so if they believe their God-given rights are in jeopardy, the reality is that our rights have been in jeopardy for years.

If our government is functioning in its proper role no one should fear the president because our government as outlined in the Constitution was designed so that no one individual would have extreme power.

But as we have seen the government grow in power over the years, we have created an environment in which we should be concerned about one individual having too much power.

Look no further than west of I-15 at the NSA data center. Personal information on us is being held in the center. What information does the government have on you?

President Obama recently set aside 1.3 million acres of land in southeastern Utah. Individuals will not be able to use that land to help feed their families and for the local communities to grow their economies. All of this was done with one swipe of a pen.

Congress has passed laws in which if someone is labeled an enemy combatant they can be denied due process and jailed indefinitely.

We have created a government in which an individual can have their property taken away if they or their property are simply accused of a crime. Years ago, Utah's citizens passed an initiative to end this practice in the state, only to have the Legislature overturn their vote a few years later. Efforts to restore parts of this citizens' initiative passed the House in recent years only to die in the Senate without a vote.

While individuals worry about government providing their health care or other government handouts, government must have some way to collect this money from other individuals. The only way they can do this is through force.

Taxes aren't voluntary. If they were voluntary you wouldn't face going to jail if you didn't pay your taxes.

If one is concerned about one individual or other entities in the government having too much power, the best solution is the solution found in our Constitution.

Let us remember the words of Thomas Jefferson, "The two enemies of the people are criminals and government, so let us tie the second down with the chains of the Constitution so the second will not become the legalized version of the first."

Our founders knew what it was to live in a world of fear, therefore they put checks and balances in the Constitution and established a Bill of Rights.

If government operates in its proper role there is no need to fear whoever may lead and whatever level of government.

Don Guymon, West Bountiful, is chairman of GrassRoots (utahgrassroots.org).