Last week we looked at the six constitutional principles fundamental to the founding of our republic. These were:
- A fixed moral standard of right and wrong
- Acknowledgement of a Creator
- Intrinsic rights for being human
- Government’s sole exististence: to protect your unalienable rights
- Government authority comes from the consent of the governed
- Only We the People have the obligation to alter our government structure when it acts outside of its just powers.
The core political debate throughout our history revolves around the proper role of government. This was the case during the Constitutional Convention of 1787 in the debate between the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists.
The Federalists (led by James Madison, John Jay, and Alexander Hamilton) supported a republican form of government where there was a strong central government with limited power. Most governing power was dispersed throughout the several states.
The easiest way to remember the difference is the Federalists advocated for federalism. This was a radical theory of government that was borne out of experience. World history had been populated with highly centralized forms of governance, and the ruling class determined what rights certain groups possessed. The Federalists were well-organized, well-funded, and superior communicators.
On the other hand, the Anti-Federalists were very skeptical of a strong, central government. They were not as well organized as the Federalists, but they boasted impressive leaders like Patrick Henry and George Mason.
They also understood history. They thought no matter what safeguards were written into the Constitution, the federal government would violate them. That is one of the reasons George Mason refused to sign the Constitution. This distrust of government is also why Colonel Mason supported the Article V convention of states process and pressed for the Bill of Rights.
So, what’s the point?
This same debate is happening now, except it’s not really a debate. Yelling, cancelling, and unfriending has become commonplace in social media, and the animus is now spilling over into the streets. It is challenging to find people willing to have a rational discussion in the arena of ideas.
Throughout our founding documents, there are several references to the Creator. This was the second constitutional principle we learned about last week. The acknowledgement of a Creator is a prerequisite for limited government.
Every other country holds their government or a family as the ultimate authority. That entity determines the rights of the people and passes judgement of what is just and unjust. That is not what our Framers said.
We are seeing the decline in our civil society, because we've turned our backs on this constitutional principle. Too many people look to the government for their sustenance and to solve their problems. Government is all too happy to oblige, since that sentiment increases the power wielded by opportunistic politicians and meddling bureaucrats.
Conflicts arise as various special interests compete for their share of the government’s largesse. This pits state versus state, city versus city, and neighbor versus neighbor.
The solution lies in education about our founding principles, an understanding that there is a fixed standard of right and wrong, and an acknowledgement of God. America has a pretty solid track record of eventually making good decisions.
Government is not going to do that on its own. It exists to accrete more power to itself and continue to violate individual rights. It is up to you and I to be defenders of our republic and restore constitutional governance.
This is the purpose of the Convention of States Project. We need you to take an active role in the solution. We have an incredible team assembled in Missouri and throughout all 50 states.
Go here to learn about opportunities to volunteer. I’d like to say it will be easy, but it won’t be. I can say there is no greater constitutional way to correct our current course and provide our children an opportunity to succeed.
