Will County Gazette

Even as he encourages people to band together to help one another against the coronavirus crisis in any way they can, Rick Laib wants the people of Illinois to remember no one can do for them what they can do for themselves.

And that especially holds true where government is concerned.

“Government is not in a position nor will it ever be to meet your needs the way you can,” Laib, now running against incumbent U.S. Rep. Bill Foster (D-Aurora) in the 11th District, told the Will County Gazette. “It’s really not their function and when it comes to a lot of things they’re really out of their lane.”

Rick Laib

With so many feeling desperate as the deadly virus has brought about a period the likes of no other, Laib said he feels compelled to remind people of just what he’s saying.

“In times like these, it’s tempting to give into the idea that someone else will fix everything and there are those in government who are willing to try to convince you that they can provide that level of service,” Laib added. “One of the problems with looking for government to solve all your problems is you have to cede all the power you have for them to do that.”

Laib stresses that’s not to say government doesn’t have a role to pay, especially at crisis times like these.

“What they’ve been able to do is restore order,” he said. “No one else could have gone out and gotten ventilators or mobilize personnel the way they have. But at the end of the day, no one can be responsible for you the way you can be for yourself.”