“The Constitutional solution is to wipe away much of the legislation including Federal agencies etc that have accumulated for about 3 generaions and get back to Constiutionally mandated powers.
But this is not the Libertarian philosophy at all.”
Agreed on all points, but especially these too. I’m not a libertarian, which is how the discussion with Ansel started, since I (being a strict constructionist/Constitutionalist), said that I was not libertarian, but he insisted that because I belive in the fundamentals of the constitution, that I’m not conservative, but a liberal. But I agree whole heartedly about the root of the problem, being: “the FedGov is now more or less a totalitarian entity forcing lefitst crap down everyone’s throat.”
A conservative government doesn’t force anything down anyone’s throat, but I think so many people are fed up with the leftist crap, that they just want the pendulum to swing the other way so badly, they forget it can swing to far. That’s why I want it (The FedGov, at the very least) to remain (as much as possible) confined to the constitution, and not swinging much either way. In my heart, I have to believe that if the people are a moral people, extra laws are not needed, they’ll do good on their own. And if the people are bad, no number of laws will change that (as in gun control, only inhibits the “good guys” the “bad guys” disregard them anyway). I think my prayers could use some redoubling in the mean time, I feel as far gone as we are (as a society), it can get a whole lot worse, and I hate the teetering feeling I keep feeling, like the judgement is hanging over our country’s head and could come down on us at any minute.
Thanks for the discussion, and I apologize for the crass, sarcastic response someone gave your well thought and heartfelt post.
The thing is, civilization needs laws. No laws mean anarchy, Lord of the Flies. The Fed Gov’s powers are quite limited according to the Constitution. Most laws that affect peoples’ lives are supposed to be up to the individual States - closer to home, with more accountability to the people who are directly affected, and with more say-so by the people.
It is not like that now nor has it been for a few generations. Hopefully it will happen as the disgustingly bloated and corrupt Fedgov runs out of money and is increasingly seen as the enemy of the people that is has become.
Your statements that laws can’t make bad people good, so we don’t need laws, is not logical. Laws are needed not to make bad people good, but to stop bad people from harming everyone else. If they decide to become good, fine and dandy. If not, at least they’re punished enough so maybe they decide out of pure self-interest not to be bad anymore. (As an aside, I am opposed to all this prison time, and am sure that public canings and many more executions will quickly change the social atmosphere to one where far fewer people choose a life of crime. Much cheaper, more effective, and more humane.)
Certainly if most people are living saints, few to no laws are needed. But that is not the case.
Each State should be free from FedGov interference to make the laws its citizens and representatives see fit to enact. If someone doesn’t like their State’s laws, they can try to change them, or move to another State they like better.
Fascinating, will you show me that quote?
Especially the part where I insist that believing in the fundamentals of the constitution makes you a liberal.