When this nation’s founders created the Constitution, they must
have had uppermost in their minds the importance of the individual citizen and
the necessity for protecting each and every citizen’s basic (inalienable) rights
as defined in the Declaration of Independence (Life, Liberty and the pursuit of
Happiness). “To secure these rights,
Governments are instituted among
Men . . . ”
The Founding Fathers carefully worded the document to limit,
as much as possible, what the “federal” government had the power to do (17 are
listed under Art. I, Sec. 8) and expressly stated a number of actions that the
federal government “could not do” (the Bill of Rights or 1st 10
Amendments). Yes, they were concerned
with a government of sufficient power to protect the citizens, declare war if
absolutely necessary (even this they made somewhat difficult by requiring a
specific Congressional vote in support) and negotiate with foreign nations in
the interests of commerce and beneficial relationships. Entangling alliances were not approved while
friendship with all who wished to be friends of the new republic was welcomed. Freedom from despotic rule was the purpose of
their Revolution.
Congress was to be composed of citizen legislators in the House elected for only 2 years at a
stretch. Those elected were expected to
serve only one or two terms after which they would return to their previous occupation or
avocation. The Founders hoped this would
make the House more responsive to the conditions and situations the average
citizen faced.
The Senate, elected by the various state legislatures, would
serve to protect the sovereignty of the individual states and provide a check
on an overly aggressive federal government.
It should be remembered that each state was considered a “nation” unto
itself and thus the decision for a “federal” rather than a national
government. As Amendments IX and X
state, if the Constitution does not grant a power to the federal government, it
is retained by the state(s) or the people themselves. Such restraint appears unknown by today’s
federal government.
So what has happened in the intervening decades?
The “free” citizen now works, on average, 1/3rd
or more of the year for the federal government, whether he/she wants to or not! And, that is only part of the load to which
the citizen has become subjected.
Consider the fact that there is no true count of the number of laws that
have been passed during the 226 years since the Constitution was ratified by
the states. We know it is
in the thousands. It has also been stated that no citizen is
genuinely safe from violating one or more of them since they have become so
complicated, intertwined and pervasive to the point where no one fully
understands them. The average citizen
violates some law almost every day.
In making this statement, you need to remember that, even
though they may be unconstitutional, (they have never been challenged in court)
many of the departments and agencies of the federal government issue rules
and/or regulations that dictate what you may do and the consequences for
failure to comply can result in a fine or imprisonment or both. Because of the way the government operates,
such rules and regulations as issued by the departments and agencies of the
federal government take on the “force of law”.
Compliance is not voluntary and ignorance is no excuse for not abiding
by whatever the “law” is.
The Founding Fathers made a profound choice. Will the modern generation display the same
dedication to freedom? That’s up to you.
©Copyright 2013
Hillard W.Welch
