American idol

statism (n) : the basic concept that sovereignty is vested not in the people but in the national state, and that all individuals and associations exist only to enhance the power, the prestige, and the well-being of the state. The fascist concept of statism repudiates individualsm and exalts the nation as an organic body headed by the Supreme Leader and nurtured by unity, force, and discipline. —from Political Science Dictionary. Editor Jack C. Plano. Dryden Press, 1973

This belief in government power doesn't necessarily make statists undemocratic. Many statists believe government represents the collective will of the people, and they usually argue that a powerful government is necessary to build a better society. As WordIQ.com noted, "supporters of statism argue that [government power] ultimately benefits the individual himself, since the public good involves the personal good of the maximum number of individuals."

Statists support far less individual liberty than any other political ideology. Statists tend to distrust the free market, advocate centralized planning of the economy (including high taxes, strict regulation of business, and even government ownership or control of major industries)...In short, statists consistently doubt that economic liberty and individual freedom are necessary, practical, or workable in today's world. —TheAdvocates.org, home of The World's Smallest Political Quiz

The belief that government can solve all of the world's, our country's, or even the various states' problems amounts to idol worship. Government has a role, but as we abandon that cherished American value of rugged individualism, and begin to shred the Constitution, which limits the federal government, one article at a time, we are following a golden calf of statism.