Independence Hall
In the fall of 1787 Our Founding Fathers provided us a unique form of Government. It was based on pieces of tried and true principles of past governments. The Articles of Confederation was not working; the central Government was to weak. The 2nd Constitutional Convention was called to amend the articles. The first meeting, it became clear that amending the Articles would not work; scraping them and starting anew became the mission for the Convention. The doors and windows were closed so that privacy could be maintained. After many discussions, many arguments, not one Delegate was completely satisfied yet a Constitution was written and signed by the members.
When Benjamin Franklin was asked by a curious Woman, “Well Doctor (Franklin) what have we got – a republic or a monarchy?” Doctor Franklin’s response was; “A Republic, if you can keep it”. A Democracy was not on the table and only mentioned briefly. Why did such well educated Men ignore the concepts of a Democracy? They understood the failures of past Democracies, sure it appeals to Mankind but it is ineffective and the results are always the same, Mob-Rule. The representatives of the 13 States knew the adage, if two wolves and one lamb would vote on Dinner the lamb always dies! It was a fair vote but the lamb still gets eaten.
One aspect our Founding Fathers included within the U.S. Constitution was the Amendment process. They knew certain unknowns would give reason to add to the Constitution. Many felt that the sovereign States with Constitutions would provide basic rights and liberty to the People. Others felt the U.S. Constitution should provide them. Ten Amendments were added to the Constitution which proclaimed Rights and Responsibilities for individuals and the several States.
Many in the Convention hoped the basic principles would be maintained. Some unfortunately, began to erode the principles even in the early days of our Country. Some later Amendments have overturned the principles of government our Founders created. The worse, in my opinion are the 16th and 17th Amendments, for both threw out tried and true principles, our Founders gave us.
The 16th Amendment not only created the Progressive Tax System and Internal Revenue Service, it tossed the phrase and principle of “to Promote the General Welfare”. This phrase provided equal standing for all Citizens concerning due process and the “Rule of Law”. For any Federal law created it must be promoting all the People, not a special interest, corporation, or group. Public roads are a good example of this whereas a poor person can use the road just as a rich person. It provided a common welfare or means, to transport people and commerce. The 16th Amendment needs to be repealed, the IRS needs to close. The huge Government Program is a failure, the results of this tax have caused business to leave the Country and stunt growth.
Thomas Jefferson wrote much on the subject and over the years his quotes have been combined to explain his beliefs.
I place economy among the first and most important virtues, and public debt as the greatest danger to be feared. To preserve our independence, we must not let our leaders load us with perpetual debt. We must make our choice between Economy and Liberty, or profusion and servitude. If we run into such debts we must be taxed in our meat and drink, in our necessities and in our comforts, in our labors and in our amusements. If we can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of caring for them, they will be happy. The same prudence which in private life would forbid our paying our money for unexplained projects forbids its disposition of public money.
The 17th Amendment has also eroded the “Rule of Law” and States Rights. Once a Senator was responsible to their State, they were chosen as each State prescribed by State Law. Most State legislatures would appoint their U.S. Senators. The Senators were to look out for the best interest of their State. Today the Senator is looking out for himself, if he can convince enough voters in his or her state to vote for him he keeps his job. Senators today are not concerned with their State only the individual voters. Now this may seem trivial but a balance of power between the States and Federal Government has been lost because of the 17th Amendment. This balance has shifted power to the principles of a democracy. The Founding Fathers believed the Senate would check the whims of the people and representatives in the House. Today the Senate also listens to the whims of the people, no check or balance of powers.
Today we are seeing the full horror our Founding Fathers wanted to avoid. The debt ceiling was raised another 2 trillion or so dollars and soon our Federal Government will be in debt to the staggering amount of over 16 trillion dollars. The principles of Democracy which everyone or should I say the majority of the voters enjoy will destroy our credit, labors, and Country. Repealing these two Amendments will result in the closure of many redundant Federal Agencies, Commissions, and even Departments. Those responsibilities will be returned to the several States with a huge cost savings for all taxpaying Americans. We as Americans are once again struggling with our principles; do we want the “Rule of Law” or “Mob Rule”? The next election will set the course as all past elections have!
