How has government changed since the founding of our nation? We quote Thomas Jefferson when we speak of the separation of church and state, but what has he spoken about our government in other areas?
In chapter 14, page 421 in the Writings of Thomas Jefferson, by Bergh, he writes, "The way to have good and safe government is not to trust it all to one, but to divide it among the many, distributing to every one exactly the functions he is competent to [perform best]. Let the national government be entrusted with the defense of the nation, and its foreign and federal relations; the State governments with the civil rights, laws, police, and administration of what concerns the State generally; the counties with the local concerns of the counties, and each ward [township] direct the interests within itself. It is by dividing and subdividing these republics, from the great national one down through all its subordinations, until it ends in the administration of every man's farm by himself; by placing under every one what his own eye may superintend, that all will be done for the best. What has destroyed liberty and the rights of man in every government which has ever existed under the sun? The generalizing and concentrating all cares and powers into one body, no matter whether of the autocrats of Russia or France, or of the aristocrats of a Venetian senate.”
First of all, we see that the lack of trust in our Government is recommended. That would include ALL government - state, local or federal. So far we have no trouble following his advice – especially in Zanesville.
The next thing he looks at is that the duty of the federal government is to be “entrusted with the defense of the nation, and its foreign and federal relations”. As we can see they have far exceeded the duties given to them in our Constitution. He goes on to mention that the States should be the ones that take care of the civil rights issues, the state laws and the police. Where did the federal government get the authority to deal with the civil rights issues?
George Washington is quoted in an article by Franklin Pierce that appeared in the 1908 writing, Federal Usurpation, “If, in the opinion of the people, the distribution of the constitutional powers be in any particular wrong, let it be corrected in the way the constitution designates. But let there be no change by usurpation, for this, though it may in one instance be the instrument of good, is the ordinary weapon by which free governments are destroyed.” He goes on to quote Abraham Lincoln in the same article, “It is my duty and my oath to maintain inviolate the right of the States to order and control under the Constitution their own affairs by their own judgment exclusively. Such maintenance is essential for the preservation of that balance of power on which our institutions rest."
According to Merriam-Webster, the definition of ‘usurpation’ is “to seize and hold (as office, place or powers) in possession by force or without right.” Another area our founders dealt with was in the word ‘despotism’. According to Merriam-Webster, the definition is “a system of government in which the ruler has unlimited power.” We can see that as the federal government continues to usurp every area of our lives it will result in despotism. They will tell us what Health Care we have to purchase – what quality of air we have to breathe – what has to be placed into, or removed from, the water we drink – what crops we can plant – what crops we can’t plant, etc. Didn’t Thomas Jefferson say “it ends in the administration of every man's farm by himself”? How did the government take control to the extent of telling us what we can do to our own farm – unless it is by usurpation?
What did Thomas Jefferson recommend we should do in such cases? If you look at The Declaration of Independence, which we recently celebrated, we will see he answered this question: “That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government”. And he goes on to say, “Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.” We slowly put up with a little suffering in order for our god – the Almighty Federal Government – to supply all of our needs.
There are many of us who are fed up with the Fed and agree with Jefferson, “But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.”
“Throwing off such Government” begins with each individual realizing that their freedoms have slowly eroded to the extent that Washington has a say so in every area of our lives and has usurped the power from ‘We the People’ and we have had enough!!!
The Declaration of Independence states, “Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed” and they do not have my consent!!! The first step that our founders placed in the constitution to help us retain control, is by overthrowing the current government – peaceful overthrow – it is called ‘voting’. I urge each of you to look at how our Ohio Senators and Congressmen have voted in the past couple of years and how they have contributed to the usurpation of our rights and our government.
In July of 2009, George Voinovich voted for an additional $192 Billion in spending for more bailout money – OUR taxes - unconstitutional. In August of 2009 he voted for an additional $2 Billion for the Cash for Clunkers program - unconstitutional. In May of 2002 he voted to enlarge NATO – unconstitutional. In July of 2005 he voted for CAFTA – unconstitutional. I could go on.
In March of 2008, Sherrod Brown voted to allow minors to go across state lines to obtain abortions (advocating murder). In March of 2007 he voted against paying off the federal budget. In December of 2005 he voted against a ban on gay marriage in Ohio. In 2001 he voted against sending more help to secure our borders. In November 2001 he voted against school prayer. I could go on.
In July of 2009, Zack Space voted for an additional $192 Billion in spending for more bailout money – OUR taxes - unconstitutional. In January 2009 he voted for an additional $825 Billion. In December 2008 he voted for $15 Billion to give GM and Chrysler – unconstitutional. I could go on.
In a few weeks there will be elections held in August concerning many local issues. Are they constitutional or not? Do you know enough about the constitution to answer the question?
In November we will have the opportunity to replace a portion of the ones in office who continually violate our constitution and the rights of the people. Vote Them Out in 2010.
During the next few weeks we will be looking at a DVD presentation by Wallbuilders with David Barton concerning our American Heritage. Please join us at 21 Arcade Place from 7-8:30 PM each Wednesday for the viewing and the discussion that follows.
We are placing an order for the book The Making of America by Cleon Skousen and will begin a DVD teaching in August at the same time and location. The book sells for $29.95 plus shipping and handling but we are able to get them for $20 each. We will listen to a DVD by Earl Taylor, the president of the National Center for Constitutional Studies who had traveled for many years with Mr. Skousen and will be teaching the senior class at Heritage Academy in Mesa, Arizona. He will be going through this book at a High School level. We will watch and discuss the DVDs on The Declaration of Independence and The Constitution of the United States. If anyone is interested in joining us we urge you to attend. None of us can ever understand all there is to know about this important document, but most of us know more already than the leaders we have placed in office.
