Size of Government
The Kentucky And Virginia Resolutions
Guideposts of Limited Government
By William J. Watkins, Jr.
In 1885 Woodrow Wilson noted that criticism of the Constitution had ceased upon its adoption and "an undiscriminating and almost blind worship of its principles" had developed (Wilson 1885, 4). A survey of American political discourse after the Constitution's ratification reveals that its provisions were often quoted in such a manner as a minister would quote the Gospel. Considering that the history of Anglo-American liberty is, in many respects, a history of great charters and the events leading to their adoption, American reverence for the Constitution is not surprising (see Brooks 1993). Of course, the Constitution is not the only document in the pantheon.
The Virginia Report Of 1799-1800
Touching The Alien And Sedition Laws; Together With The Virginia Resolutions Of December 21, 1798, The Debate And Proceedings Thereon In The House Of Delegates Of Virginia, And Several Other Documents Illustrative Of The Report And Resolutions...
Virginia Resolution Of 1798
RESOLVED, That the General Assembly of Virginia, doth unequivocably express a firm resolution to maintain and defend the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of this State, against every aggression either foreign or domestic, and that they will support the government of the United States in all measures warranted by the former.
The Kentucky Resolutions Of 1798
Resolved, That the several States composing, the United States of America, are not united on the principle of unlimited submission to their general government; but that, by a compact under the style and title of a Constitution for the United States, and of amendments thereto, they constituted a general government for special purposes — delegated to that government certain definite powers, reserving, each State to itself, the residuary mass of right to their own self-government...
Kentucky Resolution Of 1799
THE representatives of the good people of this commonwealth in general assembly convened, having maturely considered the answers of sundry states in the Union, to their resolutions passed at the last session, respecting certain unconstitutional laws of Congress, commonly called the alien and sedition laws, would be faithless indeed to themselves, and to those they represent, were they silently to acquiesce in principles and doctrines attempted to be maintained in all those answers, that of Virginia only excepted. To again enter the field of argument, and attempt more fully or forcibly to expose the unconstitutionality of those obnoxious laws, would, it is apprehended be as unnecessary as unavailing...
The Leviathan Project
By Dr. Lawrence Hunter
September 30, 2008
This proposal sketches out a new paradigm for understanding the debilitating nature of government grown too large. The Leviathan Project proposed here would comprise a multifaceted, multiphase program of research, public education and political advocacy to address two general questions:
1) What is the optimal (“right”) size of government at which social wellbeing is maximized?
2) How can the uncontrolled growth of government be arrested and reversed to achieve and maintain government at the optimum level to further the general welfare? Read More...
The Impact Of Government Spending On Economic Growth
By Daniel J. Mitchell, Ph.D.
March 15, 2005
Policymakers are divided as to whether government expansion helps or hinders economic growth. Advo¬cates of bigger government argue that government programs provide valuable “public goods” such as education and infrastructure. They also claim that increases in government spending can bolster eco¬nomic growth by putting money into people’s pockets. Read More...
Sign the petition to stop Social Security Cuts and send a fax to every Member of Congress demanding they cut other spending, NOT SOCIAL SECURITY.