(Opinion article submitted by Ron Cline of Mason City)
Having fought through a terrible revolution to oust their kings, the British of the 18th century were more keenly aware than most of the dangers of power to the liberty of citizens. In Cato’s Letters, a staple of 18th century colonial reading, we find the following: “All history affords but few instances of men trusted with great power without abusing it, when with security they could.” This understanding is the basis for the careful separation of powers between the Federal government and the States. The tenth amendment was insisted upon to explicitly clarify that separation: “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.” It is to restore this understanding that Ron Paul, candidate for president in 2012, often calls our attention to the violations which routinely occur these days. In particular, he points out the cost of this intrusion. Think how much we could save if the following departments, which are unconstitutional according to Section 1, Article 8: Education, Labor, Housing and Urban Development, Agriculture, Interior, EPA, Transportation, Energy, just to name a few. People often object, “What will happen to us if these functions no longer exist”? If they are really that important, they can be reconstituted at the State level as each State wishes, and the functions will probably be done much better. And if the citizens of a State do not wish to reconstitute a given function, so be it. Ron Paul’s point with regard to lots of legislation is that it belongs in the State legislatures and with the people of the States, not with an ever-growing Leviathan in Washington. For more information go to www.RonPaul2012.com.
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