What’s The Difference?

Raising this question doesn’t always provide a suitable answer.  Too often, the respondent avoids a direct response attempting to divert the questioner’s attention.

This could be applied to the difference between the original concept of the US government and the present attitude of many elected officials.  In one case, there were strict limitations placed on the areas for involvement and the extent of the power being delegated.  In the other case, there is no limitation and a “centralized” government of national proportions becomes all powerful with the capability of regulating every aspect of the people’s lives, works and possessions.

One was called a “republic”.  The other is often termed a “socialist democracy”.  One was devised to protect the rights of the individuals allowing them to prosper and produce to whatever extent their abilities and talents could achieve.  The other assumes that the state is the granter of rights and privileges and the citizens exist primarily to serve the state. 

In the case of the limited government as propounded by the Founding Fathers, the government is the “servant” of the people.  It is only authorized to perform those functions that were deemed best managed by a central body or could not be adequately performed for the whole by the individual states or private enterprise.  There was to be no conflict between private and government areas of activity and the three branches of government created by the Constitution were to serve as checks and balances on each other to keep the system in equilibrium at all times.  

The Founders were well aware of the natural tendency of any person or group to expand and reach beyond their stated confines.  Thus, you find such restrictions as allowing the President to make appointments with the “advice and consent of the Senate”.  The same applies to Treaties!  Another instance is found in the power vested only in the House to initiate all money bills!  This was considered a safe guard in that the House would be more responsive to the people at large and Representatives were controlled by being elected every two years (a very short time frame in any era).

Individualism, self-reliance and moral character were considered basic attributes for each citizen of the new republic.  The concept of “let government do it” did not exist and it would take over 100 years before it surfaced, becoming in subsequent years, the dominant and driving force behind the present condition.

The “difference” in a socialist democracy is that the government “dictates” what citizens may do, how they may do it, when and where they may do it and ultimately whether they live or die.  Often overlooked is the fact that every new regulation (regardless of whether legally passed by Congress) adds a further restriction on an individual’s freedom.  In this respect, we are referring to “freedom of choice” as well as action.  While many such regulations are presented as being “in the public’s best interest”, that position is open to question if for no other reason than, “who says so?”  Do the politicians and bureaucrats really know “what is best for you”?  Aren’t you a better judge?  Shouldn’t you be free to make your own decisions without the interference of government?  While we can all decry a bad decision by an individual, this negates the fact that we learn more from our mistakes than from our successes.  This has been demonstrated too often to be overlooked.  The mere recognition of a mistake educates the individual who made it.  The educational value increases as the individual reviews, analyses and corrects whatever caused the mistake.  A governmental law, restriction or regulation cannot achieve such a result since there is no “learning by error” process involved.  And, no governmental action can conclusively prevent it from happening, regardless of how many laws have been passed addressing it.

 “Those who will not embrace freedom, are condemned to a life of servitude under state control.”

That’s my view.  What’s yours?  Reach me at constitutionviews@gmail.com

©Copyright 2013 Hillard W. Welch