Sir Winston Churchill made this statement in reference to President Eisenhower’s Secretary of State John Foster Dulles. Doesn’t the same quote apply to the federal government in general?
In 2008 we were told 10 to 30 million people in the U.S. lacked health care insurance. What was our government's solution? Upend the entire health care insurance market for everyone. (If you liked your plan you get to keep your plan, right?)
Student test scores in reading, writing, and math have been stagnant since the early 1970s. What was the government's solution? One-size-fits-all Common Core to the rescue!
Now, a rogue police officer and three accomplices cost the life of one of our fellow citizens. What are some people calling for now? Defund police departments!
It’s difficult to watch the graphic video of gross police misconduct that led to the death of George Floyd. I simply can’t understand how a person can harbor such hatred and lack of compassion toward another person not exhibiting threatening behavior, especially since this police officer had extensive training handling such situations. I see no justification for the officer’s actions.
There is no question that we must begin to focus on being better. Police departments must continue to improve training to ensure officers act appropriately. They also must examine their hiring practices. As we see everyday, the overwhelming majority of law enforcement officers protect and serve their communities.
However, they walk a fine line in certain communities. Act too harshly, and they’re paraded through social media and the press. Fail to act aggressively enough, and they could lose their lives.
Defunding police departments is not the solution. It would increase violence and place our most vulnerable communities in even greater danger.
Yet, this is how our government behaves. Each day, the federal government looks for another reason to justify its size and expand its power. This expansion of power increases its control over our lives.
I speak of the federal government as a living being, because it has assumed physical characteristics. It’s an end unto itself. It exists for its own benefit. And in many ways, its actions are oblivious to its environment.
The Framers intended the federal government to be involved in areas where it was impractical for the states to administer, such as defending the borders, negotiating treaties, establishing immigration policy, issuing coin currency, and declaring war. There is no question the federal government acts outside of the Framers’ intent.
Because of this, the federal government makes it more difficult for a civil society to exist. Various constituent groups compete for their share of the federal government’s largesse. Unlike the free market where competition leads to efficiencies, innovation, and economies, this competition leads to conflict. Politicians leverage this conflict to maintain their power. It’s quite a pickle we’re in, and it will take considerable effort to reverse.
Fortunately, the Framers provided us with a solution in Article V of the U.S. Constitution. The Convention of States Project is committed to utilizing the tools we were given.
Everyone knows the problem. The federal government does too much, spends too much, and stays too long. We also know that D.C. will never act to correct any of these issues. It will take considerable effort to bring the first of many Convention of States meetings to fruition.
The American people have a pretty good track record conquering challenges. Click here for the path to overcoming this obstacle.
In liberty,
Brett
