Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Focus of government

I'm reading 'Ameritopia' which has an interesting reference in the first chapter to the Federalist papers (#45)...
The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the State governments are numerous and indefinite. The former will be exercised principally on external objects, as war, peace, negotiation, and foreign commerce; with which last the power of taxation will, for the most part, be connected. The powers reserved to the several States will extend to all the objects which, in the ordinary course of affairs, concern the lives, liberties, and properties of the people, and the internal order, improvement, and prosperity of the State.
Do federal laws restrict themselves to external affairs? Do they collect taxes just for national defense?

Obviously not. By saying principally they leave themselves open to abuse. Abuse they have!

The powers of the federal government should be limited to war and treaties with taxes only collected for that purpose. They should have no power over economics foreign or domestic. The states should each handle everything else.
The number of individuals employed under the Constitution of the United States will be much smaller than the number employed under the particular States.
I'm going to look into that which may be enlightening?

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