What Sort Of Despotism Democratic Nations Have To Fear - 11-13-2010 (3)

 [Continued from “What Sort Of Despotism Democratic Nations Have To Fear — 11-13-2010 (2)”. sch 8/25/24.]

The federal government has had power concentrated in it from states shirking their duties to the states' citizens. The conservatives are correct that the federal government was never designed to be a general government, but Democrats and Republicans have both found useful expanding federal power. Federal incompetency as a general government is readily apparent, just as we offload more local concerns on Washington, DC.

This dumping has its costs. The least important costs are economic. I heard complaints about business regulations, but a national economy requires national regulations. Yes, businesses lose money in taxes, fines, and energy. Then, too, there are the costs incurred by the federal courts and agencies for enforcing federal regulations. 

Then there is the cost of creating an opposition to the centralizing principle. Concentrated economic power opposes concentrated governmental power. 

Puzzle over why those opposing economic regulation favor expanding the criminal jurisdiction of the federal government.

You stand on the verge of an interesting time in America. I have removed myself from participating in the times ahead. The future belongs to you. Americans can fix their constitutional problem, or continue using them for partisan politics to gain a political advantage. Maybe by the time these notes see the light of day, The Tea Party will devolve into another group just trying to feather their nests. 

I think we have the ability to avoid de Tocqueville's soft despotism, as well as the harsher types developed since his time. I do not know how much longer we have before we find our constitutional flaws creating a breakdown that will eclipse that of Weimar Germany.

sch

[Well, you have not only not fixed the constitution's flaws, you have let them get worse. You have passed the interesting times into a time when your freedom is at risk by electing a wannabe dictator. Great job.

I realize I left out the greatest cost incurred by states in transferring responsibilities to the federal government. The states have lost much of their capacity to govern in a way that helps the widest swathes of their communities.

De Tocqueville's original chapter can be found here. 

sch 8/25/24.]