I believe that the primary role of the government is to protect people and not run their lives. You used to be able to believe that in the Democratic Party.

In this quote, John Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States, emphasizes his belief that the primary role of the government is to protect people rather than control or dictate their lives. He is expressing a viewpoint rooted in classical liberal principles, where government's primary function should be the preservation of individual freedoms, safety, and rights. Kennedy’s message suggests that government should serve as a safeguard against external and internal threats, but it should not interfere with the personal choices and autonomy of its citizens.

The quote also reflects Kennedy's criticism of how the Democratic Party had evolved over time. He suggests that, at one point, the Democratic Party was aligned with the idea of a government that focused on protection and limited intervention in the lives of its citizens. However, by the time Kennedy made this statement, he felt that the party had shifted towards a more interventionist stance, emphasizing government programs and policies that involved greater regulation and control over various aspects of life.

Kennedy’s statement can be seen as a defense of a more conservative or libertarian approach to government, where the state’s role is restricted to maintaining law and order, protecting individual freedoms, and ensuring national security. His belief was that government should not become overly involved in people’s personal affairs, as it could lead to a loss of personal liberty and individual responsibility.

This quote serves as a reminder of the ideological shift within American politics, where the role of government has been debated and redefined over time. Kennedy’s words reflect his frustration with how the Democratic Party, in his view, had strayed from the original principles of limited government involvement, which he believed had been a hallmark of its earlier platform.