Next week America celebrates its semiquincentennial, which is a mouthful of syllables meaning the 250th anniversary of our founding.

It's a milestone worthy of exceptional celebration, and spending and travel projections suggest the nation's birthday party will rise to the occasion.

But the two-and-a-half century mark is also a moment to measure more than just longevity. Independence from England in 1776 signified the start of a national existence, but it would be a few years later before the constitutional government was established that is still in place today.

The government is not the nation, however. Citizens are the nation. The government is a system instituted to form a more perfect union in which We the People enjoy our unalienable rights.

Our major national commemorations are observed every 50 years, so it's a good time to compare the past two eras: 1926-1976 and 1976-2026. The population and government both grew substantially in each period. Does more government automatically equate to more progress? Let's take a look.

The first 50-year era was one of extraordinary accomplishment. The nation saw dramatic increases in life expectancy and educational attainment. Home electrification and indoor plumbing became universal. Medical advancements delivered victories against deadly infectious diseases. The interstate highway system was built. Air travel became routine, supported........

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