The Federal Government is Too Big, Too Bloated, and Too Powerful
I don’t think this is what the Framers had in mind. When our Constitution was drafted, the idea was that the states would be the centers of power, and the feds would deal with a few things like protecting our borders, providing a monetary system, and fighting our wars – when necessary.
Going to Washington, DC was considered a sacrifice – the idea was to go serve our country, and then get back to running your farm.
We all know that power corrupts, but does it have to corrupt as much as it does?
Should politicians spend millions to stay in office? Should Washington tell us what kind of car to drive? Should we be $35 trillion dollars in debt? Of course not. But getting back to where we need to be won’t be easy. In fact, it’s hard to name a single politician that’s for it.
Audio: Random Samplings of a Logical Mind
There are politicians that understand the problem, but nobody’s doing anything about it.
I think Rand Paul and Chip Roy – both Republicans – understand what the United States government has become. That’s two. Please name another one for me. We’re in the biggest peacetime financial hole our country has ever been in and few members of Congress of either party seems to care.
Video: Sen. Rand Paul on government waste
Local members of Congress brag constantly about the pork they’ve brought back from Washington. The people say they hate pork barrel spending. But they sure do like that new pedestrian bridge, or that shiny, federally-funded museum. They like Washington cash for building roads, and abating homelessness and climate change. Most senators and congressmen, even those that see the debt as an existential crisis, bite their lips and grab as much of Uncle Sam’s cash as they can.
Video: Rep. Chip Roy on government spending
It’s a house of cards.
If what I’m reading is true, the interest on the National Debt is now higher than what we spend on the national defense. That’s like being under water on your car payment – throwing good money after bad. And yes, it affects you. Joe Biden’s most treasured “accomplishment” was the Inflation Reduction Act. And yet, this misnamed legislation caused inflation – lots of it. You see it when you buy a car, at the grocery store, and at the gas pump.
The high cost we’re paying now for goods and services aren’t by accident.
It’s caused by government printing money. That’s economics 101. It’s basic stuff that Joe Biden never has understood and Kamala Harris never will. Harris, who simply cannot answer a direct question, has only a few policies – child care credits, $25,000 to help first-time home buyers – and all of what she wants to do would turn out bad. She wants to spend money to buy votes with no concern for the economic consequences. We’ve seen what Barack Obama’s student loan policies did to cause tuition to skyrocket. Harris’ plan would do the same for the housing market. Even if Harris can’t understand this, surely someone in her party does. Yes, but printing money is so easy.
Do I blame the Democrats for the $35,000,000,000,000 National Debt? Mostly. But Republicans are also very good at spending and kicking the debt can down the road. If you have a Republic congressman, look at his newsletters (printed and mailed at taxpayer expense) and see if he brags about the pork he’s brought home.
RELATED: Congressman John Carter spends millions while cutting spending
Politicians from both parties seem to practice the Wimpy promise:
I will gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today.
Wimpy was a cartoon character. But wait; perhaps politicians are as well.
I’ve often said that if somebody died and made me king, this would be a far better country.
Damn right, it would. If I were in charge, here is what would happen:
Most federal spending would go to the protection and defense of our country. We’d have the biggest, baddest military on the planet that no one would want to mess with. Peace through strength would be a priority.
We would cut back to just a handful of government agencies (Department Logic?) that would be run lean and mean. We would have the Department of Justice, the State Department, the Treasury Department and the Department of War. In other words, we’d enforce federal law, work to stay out of wars through diplomacy, print money and mint coinage, and be prepared to destroy our enemies when necessary. We’d retain a few necessary agencies such as Communications Commission, but we’ make them logical. We’d drastically downsize the federal bureaucracy since most powers would revert to the states.
The law enforcement and spy agencies we’d need – a retooled FBI, Secret Service and CIA – would not be weaponized against our own citizens.
We would abolish the Internal Revenue Service in favor of a flat tax or the Fair Tax which would be adjusted to bring in what it takes to run the government and no more. April 15th would just be another pleasant day.
Since the states would be running most things, the federal government would not conduct lockdowns during a pandemic or tell you what car to drive or what kitchen appliances you can use. States would or would not do that according to local laws and preferences. Abortion would be legal in California, of course, but I would work to re-humanize unborn children.
Term limits would be implemented to keep politicians like Ted Kennedy, Dianne Feinstein, and Robert Byrd from clinging to power until death. I think four terms in the House and two in the Senate are enough. Maybe it should be less. I would look for ways to make it possible for normal people to serve in Congress instead of the elite millionaire class we have now. I’ll think on that one for a future column.
But what about all the services that the U.S. government provides?
Well folks, those go back to the states. Surely you remember constitutional government? Powers not enumerated in the Constitution revert to the states. States and cities ought to pay for their own messes, and set their own rules and regulations for hospitals and schools. Not the feds.
We’d make English the official language of government at the national level – and each state could decide if they want multiple languages. But federal business would always be conducted in English. Obviously, if there was a reason to use a foreign language (such as spy matters or printing fliers on how illegal immigrants can leave the country), we’d use it.
And immigration? Of course, that’s a federal thing, but many of the laws we have in place would work if they were enforced.
The bottom line is that the power center in Texas ought to be in Austin and not in Washington, DC. If a state is equipped do something, then it ought to have the jurisdiction to do it. Only a few things should be delegated to Washington. The feds would be taking in far less money, which mean the states would have more. They could go into debt if they want to, but with the understanding that the federal government will not bail them out.
If I were king, I’d implement either nationally or by state, a voluntary catastrophic illness insurance policy. It would cost very little to buy in at the age of twenty, but more after that, and still more after forty, and so on. But once you’re in, this fund would pay for diseases like cancer. No one should have to die from cancer due to lack of money. It’s not socialism because it’s voluntary, and young people would sign up to get the lower rates. It makes sense. In the meantime, we ought to find a cure. We’re America. We can anything, except that we fart away our money on so much left-wing nonsense.
Imagine an America that’s constitutional and logical. Now show me the politicians who will sign on.
The three fiction books by Lynn Woolley
Lynn Woolley is a Texas-based author, broadcaster, and songwriter. Follow his podcast at https://www.PlanetLogic.us. Check out his author’s page at https://www.Amazon.com/author/lynnwoolley.
Order books direct from Lynn at https://PlanetLogicPress.Square.Site. Email Lynn at lwoolley9189@gmail.com.
Order all three and you will have a nice set!
