"One of the happiest consequences of the absence of government...is the development of individual strength that inevitably follows." Alexis de Tocqueville
The Most Important of the 2023 COS Proposed Amendments?
The 2023 Simulated Article V Convention produced six proposed amendments. Two addressed “Term Limits” and one addressed “Fiscal Restraints”. Both of these subjects are perennial favorites with the American public and have historically enjoyed strong support outside of the political class.
Although not as high profile as “Term Limits” and “Fiscal Restraints”, three amendments were proposed to address “Legislative and Executive Jurisdiction”. Fully half of the proposals are aimed at curbing Federal overreach. The case can be made that the convention commissioners viewed central government dictates to be the gravest and most immediate threat to the Constitution and our Republic.
As de Tocqueville noted above, expanding government is inversely proportional to individual strength. The 2023 commissioners were wise to give high priority towards enhancing “We the People” at the expense of “I’m from the government and I’m here to help.”
Another Case for Restricting Federal Overreach
There are few things more important to the American Dream than realizing home ownership in the location of one’s choice. Whether it is open country, restaurants and culture, school systems, climate or dozens of other considerations; individuals want to choose what fits them best. The latest effort by Washington DC (AFFH) to reshape the American landscape has slipped under the radar for over a decade but is now running headlong into the American Dream of owning a home.
AFFH (Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing) was first advanced by Executive Order in 2015 and, in a nutshell, proposed to address purported racial and class discrepancies in home ownership by instituting regional alternatives to suburbs. These regions would be administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. With federal dollars comes inevitable federal control. Cheyenne, WY and Chicago, IL would have the same rules regarding: zoning, schools, transportation, building codes, etc.
Neighborhood Design by Washington DC
It is somewhat ironic that the first effects of AFFH are getting push back from the very areas that initially supported it. Westchester County, NY and the fabled Hamptons (see comments from readers) have rebelled against their town fathers embrace of reimagining their tony communities.
In an effort to “even” the playing field between the “haves” and “have not’s” even more, the executive branch is penalizing home buyers with good credit scores and shifting the cost of credit. Poor credit home buyers will benefit from lower fees at the expense of credit worthy buyers. Does this enhance quality neighborhoods or ensure equally poor ownership?
Eight out of ten Americans claim that the American Dream includes ownership of a single-family home. The transformation of residential real estate into regional high density population centers will not be met with enthusiasm by any but the most committed central planner.
Are We a Nation of Masses or Individuals?
The late Rush Limbaugh commented on “regionalism”:
‘Regionalism,’ the idea that the suburbs should be folded into the cities, merging schools, housing, transportation, and above all taxation. To this end, the president has already put programs in place designed to push the country toward a sweeping social transformation in a possible second term. The goal: income equalization via a massive redistribution of suburban tax money to the cities.”
What's a COS Citizen to do?
Current and prospective home owners owe it to themselves to carefully scrutinize the motives behind any attempt to remove them from the administration of their chosen neighborhood. This is a black and white confrontation between federal and local control.
Let your legislators and town administrators know, in polite but firm terms, whether the Feds or “We the People” determine the character of our homes.
Signing the COS Article V petition (below) is an excellent way to state your support for rolling back federal overreach into your home and neighborhood.
