Who draws the line at which government powers are acceptable? Is it our politicians or the Constitution?
Under federalism, is it not better to have authority dispersed and then settled on the units closest to the people? Should local rule and self-determination not trump central planning?
Yet, more often than not, politicians believe they were born and educated to plan and manage our lives.
The limited principles that bind federal legislation to the Constitution are ignored. This blatant disregard for our rule of law is always presented as red vs. blue or conservative vs. liberal, yet that ignores the parties being two sides of the same coin.
Most recently, a corrupt monopolistic oligarchy has presided over an expansion of the Patriot Act, including indefinite detention and the subsequent shredding of our Fourth and Sixth Amendment rights. Most have glossed over a presidential kill list, an act unbecoming of a nation built upon the rule of law and due process.
We are witnessing the unfettered expansion of drone warfare into countries with which we have not declared war and the murdering of women and children.
We have selectively launched a unilateral and non-defensive war unauthorized by Congress with deadly consequences for our American soldiers and inadequately protected diplomats.
If the Constitution is a dead letter, a document without enforcement, then what protects you from government?
President Barack Obama's supporters are the ones who vilified any and every similar act made by the previous Bush administration.
But facts are stubborn things. The preceding list of our president's usurpations are of his own construction. Hypocrisy, like our economic misery, loves company.
john sokolewicz
Malta