Power Examined
All governments, from tiny local to national, have the power to Tax and Regulate. Less politely, they have the power to Take and Control. How government gets these two fundamental powers is seldom examined.
In the USA, the Declaration of Independence specifically defines the source of government power, "... governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed ...". Leaving aside the question of what happens when the governed do not consent, we must ask, "Why would any rational person willingly institute a government to take their property and control them"?
- Details
- Created: 13 October 2018
Power, Indolence And Corruption
In the USA, government power derives from creating incentives and penalties that influence individual decisions and actions. It is much more subtle than tyrannical decrees. It usually goes unnoticed when hidden behind the deceptive cloak of "good intentions".
America is a Republic where the citizenry elects representatives to carry out their wishes instead of doing it themselves by direct vote. Elected representatives (from local school board, city council, congress, governors and on up to the President) are responsible for exercising all government power in the USA. That power is limited by the constitutions (fundamental law) of the states and federal government. As long as elected representatives act diligently within the limits of law, the system works.
But when indolent citizens elect indolent representatives, power defaults to un-elected government employees who have no duty, or incentive, to act in the best interest of the citizenry. When government power defaults to the government bureaucracy, the opportunity for corruption is unlimited.
- Details
- Created: 11 October 2018
It Is Not A Conspiracy
If America's problems were a conspiracy, the solution would be simple - expose the leaders and disband the conspirators. But it isn't that simple. America's problems are the result of millions of American citizens acting spontaneously in what they think is their best short-term self interest. If it is a conspiracy, it is a natural, leaderless one where short-term self interest destroys long-term national stability.
In 1777, Thomas Paine (American Crisis, No. 4) said, "Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it". Less well know is this quote from Irishman John Philpot Curran in 1790, "It is the common fate of the indolent to see their rights become a prey to the active. The condition upon which God hath given liberty to man is eternal vigilance; which condition if he break, servitude is at once the consequence of his crime and the punishment of his guilt". (for other quotes see Freedom Keys) Think about that for a minute.
- Details
- Created: 10 October 2018
Who Benefits From Big Government?
There are just under 24,000,000 government employees in the United States. Their livelihood depends on tax revenue and citizen dependence on government programs. When retirees and dependents are included, it amounts to about half of all US voters. No politician, whether local, state or national, can ignore such a huge single-issue voting block.
Government employees are seldom recognized publicly as a voting block with common interest in expanding the role of government at all levels. News stories identify many special interest groups but refuse to specifically identify the dominant special interest group in America - Government Employees. They gain power without oversight of any kind and are responsible only to their own self-interest.
- Details
- Created: 08 October 2018
Making Sense of "The Spectacle"
For days the American public has been subjected to an astonishing spectacle of the United States Senate delving into the life of two teenagers 30 years ago. The Senate has a constitutional duty to "Advise & Consent" on presidential treaties and appointments. They did not deliberate or advise. They did consent to the appointment of Judge Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court just like they would have without "The Spectacle". Nothing changed and few ever thought it would. Was it, in Shakespeare's words, "Much ado about nothing"?
It wasn't about confirming a presidential appointment, but it wasn't about nothing either. It was a political clash reflecting a bitter divide within the US government. The purpose of "The Spectacle" was to extend and intensify that divide in the US citizenry just before an important election. It was powerful political theater designed to promote hatred and anger among the American people. Why would the United States Senate, want to do (or even allow) that?
- Details
- Created: 06 October 2018
Who Is Running This Mess?
About 45 years ago, a four-term Democrat Congressman from a safe district sat in my shabby office and said he wanted me to know he was not going to run again (he did) because Congress didn't matter any more. We were not close friends. Of course I knew who he was but had never talked with him in person. I was surprised at his candor and attributed most of it to grief over the recent death of his wife.
That evening, he talked at length about the Civil Rights Act of 1964 containing specific language to prevent discrimination based on race. In practice, it actively and openly discriminated against white people in favor of black people (affirmative action), something expressly prohibited by the actual legislation. His complaint was that it didn't matter what elected officials did, the untouchable Civil Service bureaucrats would do whatever they damned well pleased. Think about that for a minute.
- Details
- Created: 07 September 2018
