The Nature of American Government from its forming to the present
I. Introduction
People today have many ideas about what our government should look like, but what was the role intended for government as set forth in our Constitution? The proper role of government is to keep the peace and to leave people free to manage their own affairs. Today, our modern government is one that is “run amok.” It has run amok in the sense that it has gorged itself with power and has unleashed undisciplined exercise of that power. It has taken on powers not originally given to it and has grown into a “leviathan.” This monster government continues to grow and we as a nation are doing little to stop it. America’s government has strayed from its true purpose and has become something our founders never intended it to be.
II. 1780-1830
Some people began arguing for the “broad construction” of the constitution right after it was formed. This meant that they believed that the federal government was sovereign in all its powers and had a right to use any means necessary to attain its goals. Alexander Hamilton suggested many acts under this way of thinking.
In the 1790’s political parties began to rise. Washington opposed the idea of political parties because they would divide the nation and discourage unity. However, several parties did rise and we still use that form of differentiation today.
The Alien and Sedition acts sparked much debate and arguments. The Kentucky Resolution determined that when the federal government assumed un-delegated powers, its acts are void and of no force. The powers not granted to the United States, belong to the states (or the people). This resolution basically attacks the practice of trying to expand the government’s power by construing the words of the constitution. After then, strict interpretation of the law was common, at least until the Civil War.
III. 1830-1880
During the Civil War, the Union was the main emphasis. The state governments got downplayed and the general government was elevated. During this war, the constitution was skipped over and force replaced reason. The Civil War was unconstitutional in more ways than one, but Congress simply ignored that fact and passed several laws that would benefit the reconstruction of the United States, even though they were unconstitutional as well. At the end of the war, the southern states were mistreated and forced to accept the 14th amendment as a condition for re-entry to the union. This basically placed the state governments firmly under the supreme government of the Union. Thus expanding the general government’s power and reach into the lives of its citizens.
IV. 1880-1930
During this time, Socialist parties rose and began to gain some ground in the area of political thinking. They viewed government as a provider for its citizens and the individual as a small part of something bigger; society. But people don’t like the word socialism, so they disguised it under easier to swallow words; democracy, progressivism, and liberalism. “Progressives” were in favor of using Socialist ideas and redistributing wealth.
The income tax amendment was passed in 1913. This justified the levying of uniform taxes on the income of the common person. However, it did not authorize graduated taxes; taxes that change depending on the amount of income. Congress has plunged ahead with levying and accepting graduated taxes anyway without concern to the constitutionality of doing so, and justifying it by saying that each person was being taxed within his ability to pay. The 17th amendment continued the decline of the state and the increase of the general government.
The Federal Reserve act of 1914 set up Federal Reserve Banks. These banks issued currency that was supposed to serve as money. This currency was the Federal Reserve note. The national government then made these notes legal tender, which was illegal for them to do, and then began to print paper money. The government then controlled the money supply in its value and quantity.
V. 1930-1980
After the Great depression hit its lowest, President Franklin D. Roosevelt took control of the nation’s money supply through several acts in hopes of restoring stability. Under Roosevelt’s “New Deal”, many other acts were passed that gave the federal government and the president control over areas such as farmland, the making and distributing of electricity, employment, minimum wage etc.
Government programs rose dramatically during this time. There is just something so irresistibly attractive about the idea of someone else paying to benefit you through government programs. People have been divided into many different interest groups and will vote to benefit their group. But since governments do not produce, the funds must be taken from other people under its jurisdiction. Americans have come to rely on these government programs and have been lured by promises of free benefits, but the funding for those taken from their own pockets. We prefer the “goodies” handed out by government to the strict construction of our constitution.
The Supreme Court began to usurp the remaining powers of the state governments and began to make laws as well as enforce those they thought existed. If their decree was not immediately acted upon by the states, the federal government would go in and take control. Decisions had been made banning public prayer, legalizing abortion, and altering every right and facet of every day life.
Through credit expansion, the debt had risen unchecked and the value of our currency had fallen. Our money had no backing and only had value by decree of the government. We had a completely fiat currency.
VI. 1980-Present
There has risen the belief that everything must be controlled by government. As men have stopped believing in God and his laws, they have looked to Man to fill that role. Government has made laws and departments for even the most menial area; the distance between the rungs on ladders, the preservation of salmon, regulation of pollution, the upkeep of personal vehicles, corrections to billing mistakes and thousands of others. These are not friendly suggestions; they are laws enforceable by punishment. Rising crime rates and rising taxes have swept our country. The government takes between one fifth and one quarter of our money each year. Our government is out of control in so many ways, it is nearly impossible to name all of them in one paper. It has assumed powers that belong to God alone and stretched its reach into every person’s life.
VII. The Remedy to the Leviathan government of America
To remedy this mess our government has gotten itself into, we must make the President, the Congress and the Federal Courts observe the constitutional limits on their power. There needs to be formal penalties for ignoring or evading the constitution; a constitutional amendment that would make it illegal for an officer of the United States to exceed his authority specified in the written constitution. Those charged would be tried in the United States district courts before a jury of American citizens. However the means, the People of the United States need to be informed about the true intention of our government and the United States government must be brought back under the limits and constraints of the written constitution.
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