BRIBES
The Federalist Papers explain more than the United States Constitution. They also explain why all previous attempts at self-government failed. The Founding Fathers were not unrealistic optimists. They knew that even with the new Constitution, the same human failings and love of power would affect our country.
In the Sprit of Laws, book 9, Montesquieu says mankind probably would have always lived under a monarch or dictator. Then a constitution was developed that incorporated the internal advantages of a republic and the external force of a monarchy, that is, a confederate republic.
In a confederate republic, he continues, several States agree to become members of a large one. It can add new States until it is powerful enough to provide security for the entire nation. This kind of republic can withstand external force and internal corruption.
He explains that if one man attempted usurping supreme authority, he wouldn't have equal influence in all the States. If he had too much influence in one, it would alarm the rest. If he subdued a part, the rest would oppose and overpower him. Federalist Paper #9 [paragraphs 8-11]*
The federal government was structured so that the three branches of power
would check each other's actions. There are two other checks on the federal
government: the people and the States.
If the citizens understand their rights and want to defend them, the ability to
stop usurpation increases with the increased size of the state. The people in a
large community have a natural strength. And that strength is greater than the
artificial strength of the government and more able to stop an attempt to
establish a tyranny.
In a confederacy, the people are the masters of their own fate. Since power is
usually the rival of power, the national government will always stand ready to
check State usurpations. And the States will be in the same position towards the
national government.
Whichever side [State or national government] the people support will be the
stronger. If their rights are invaded by either, they can use the other as the
instrument of redress. The people will cherish the Union, preserving to
themselves an advantage that can never be too highly prized! Federalist Paper
#28 [paragraphs 7]*
With all these checks, how has the federal government been able to usurp power?
Money.
The federal government has been able to usurp States powers by offering money.
The federal government has usurped State authority by linking money with the new
federal power.
And the "artificial strength of the government" is increased when more people depend on the government for money, whether as employees or recipients of money from federal programs like social security, Medicare, Medicaid, unemployment, welfare, grants, "cash for clunkers", student loans, etc.
When the majority of people receive some kind of financial help from the federal government, the federal authority will be unstoppable. Have we crossed that line yet?
The November elections are crucial. It's time for the people to decide what
they want from their Representatives and Senators. My first suggestion is that
their staff size reflects that they are working for the people instead of
building political power.
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* All Federalist Paper quotes are from The Federalist
Papers: Modern English Edition Two, available on my website and Amazon.com
for $24.95
http://Mary.Webster.org
All Federalist Paper quotes are from The Federalist Papers: Modern English
Edition Two, available on my website and Amazon.com for $24.95
http://Mary.Webster.org
The United States Constitution: Annotated with the Federalist Papers in
Modern English is also available on my website and Amazon.com for $24.95.