Local cooperation doesn’t need to devolved into “government”. It’s a lot easier to keep association beneficial and egalitarian if you can opt out at any time and join a different group.
Try that with your local version of “City Hall”.
I do know that these two comprised the basis of our Declaration, and to discuss American society and Constitution without referring to them is to abandon our heritage.
Everything discussed in this thread and far more were hashed out by them long ago, and from them we can learn the intellectual foundation of our revolt.
Locke's Two Treatises is on my bookshelf, unopened. That must change.