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Government, in its last analysis, is organized force. – Woodrow Wilson
Government, within its jurisdiction, has a monopoly on power. Government has the power to tax and enforce the collection of taxes, the power to regulate, the power to incarcerate and even the power take the life of a person.
Every act of government has an element of power, which is executed by force or coercion. Every government rule and regulation involves compliance with the power of government. For example, public education is overwhelmingly accepted as a public good. However, all aspects of public education are enforced by the power of government: taxation, compulsory attendance, jurisdiction, and curriculum.Revolting Against Bad Governance
Tony Blankley, Washington Times, writes that Americans are shocked by the ineptitude of government. Assessing the American citizens’ search for a leader and good governance, Blankley writes:
Perhaps this is so because the last 3 to 4 years have been a shocking time of discontinuities and reversals for America. Really, America has been bewildered, shocked and disoriented since Sept. 11, 2001. The economic collapse and the unprecedentedly statist policies of the last three years have just compounded the anxiety. The rise of China, the fall of Europe and the chaos in the Middle East have been startling in their swiftness -- and the lack of American leadership as these dramatic events unfold is sending a shudder throughout the world.
We don't know what to make of events. We have not been convinced that either President George W. Bush or incumbent President Obama have had a clue about how to make things right.
In the article, Blankley continues to argue for the election of his former boss Newt Gingrich. The reader can decide for themselves.
Importantly, citizen dissatisfaction isn’t just an American phenomeon. The communication revolution has people throughout the world observing, assessing and discussing their governance. The Tea Party, Occupy Wall Street, Arab Spring, Greek riots, Chinese demonstrations, Russian protests and others are indictments against bad governance.
Governments of all types - democracies, communists, theocracies - cannot control the flow of information or citizens witnessing and communicating with fellow citizens about their governing bodies. The Internet has changed the world. Ruinously, the political elites of the world continue to arrogantly plan and control their citizens’ lives. Worse, the political elites voraciously seek more power. Hence, the world is in various forms of revolt.
In the past decade, Americans have witnessed government folly and ineptitude:
Most Americans fear big government. America has always been concerned about central government and the abuse of power. The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights concentrate on the force of government and attempt to restrict and defuse the power of politicians. Recently, Americans have attempted to limit the power and control of government, e.g., term limits and spending caps.
Most Americans want smaller and locally controlled governance. Citizens want more say in how they are governed. If democracy and freedom are to survive, government must be restricted to necessary core functions. The federal government must focus on defense and the enumerated powers conferred in the Constitution. State government and local communities attend to education and social policies. The era of central controlling and planning cannot continue. The citizen must have more say over government, which can only be effective in local communities.
So far there is only one bold plan to restructure the powers between the federal, state and local communities, the Tea Party Budget. Thousands of people contributed to this budget. The Budget restricts federal spending, as follows:
Following the example of welfare reform, the Budget devolves federal programs to the states and local communities. Education, Food Stamps, work ready programs and many ohte programs are returned to the States, where Americans have more input and control.
The Budget moves America boldly back toward the Founders' vision of limited, constitutional government. In the age of the Internet, nothing is impossible. Support the Tea Party Budget. The countries that restrict arrogant politicians and support personal freedom will control this century and devolve government back to the people. It is essential for our children and grandchildren. It will not be easy, but it can be accomplished.