Posted on 08/31/2012 10:31:57 AM PDT by Kaslin
I wish the Republican Platform was binding.
Why? Because the GOP, for all intents and purposes, has just proposed to eliminate the Department of Education, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Energy, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Health and Human Services, along with a host of other government programs, agencies, and departments.
More specifically, they endorsed the 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which means they put themselves on record in favor of getting rid of all federal spending and intervention that is inconsistent with the Founding Fathers’ vision of a limited central government.
Here’s some of the story, as reported by The Hill,
All federal spending should be reviewed to ensure powers reserved for the states are not given to the federal government, according to the GOP platform approved Tuesday. The platform language is meant to ensure all federal spending meets the requirements of the 10th amendment, which prohibits state powers from being given to the feds. “We support the review and examination of all federal agencies to eliminate wasteful spending, operational inefficiencies, or abuse of power to determine whether they are performing functions that are better performed by the States,” the platform reads. “These functions, as appropriate, should be returned to the States in accordance with the Tenth Amendment of the United States Constitution.”
For those of you who don’t have your Cato Institute picket Constitutions handy, here’s what the 10th Amendment says.
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
In other words, the 10th Amendment is basically a back-up plan to re-emphasize that the federal government was prohibited from exercising power in any area other than what is specified in the enumerated powers section of Article I, Section VIII.
And if you look at those enumerated powers, that pretty much invalidates much of what happens in Washington.
That’s the good news. The bad news is that the Republican platform will have less impact on a potential Romney presidency than this blog. In other words, Republicans don’t intend to live up to this promise. Heck, they don’t even know that they have such a position. That’s why I included the asterisk in the title and must draw your attention to this fine print.
But I suppose it’s good that they included this language in the platform, even if it’s merely empty political rhetoric
P.S. If they did abide by the 10th Amendment, it means that Obamacare also would be repealed.
P.P.S. Yes, this implies limits on democracy. Our Founding Fathers, contrary to E.J. Dionne’s superficial analysis, were opposed to untrammeled majoritarianism and wanted to make sure 51 percent of the people couldn’t vote to rape and pillage 49 percent of the people.
How dare you actually read THE ENTIRE article. ;)
Much sooner than that, even if we didn’t have to keep the Federal government running, or provide for our defense needs, the interest on the debt would also continue to demand an ever larger share of the GDP.
2049 may be the date where the social program overwhelming the revenue generating capacities of the Federal Government on their own, but they are NOT alone.
Let us also not forget that our defense needs with a rising authoritarianism China will also rise.
We are going to be in serous trouble defenseless and broke long before 2049.
Every time there is a budget battle near the end of the fiscal year, there is talk of shutting down all “non-essential” government offices. Which begs the questions, “Why do we have government offices that aren’t essential in the first place.
I don’t think Republicans really plan to get tough with people who rent.
Except that the "commerce clause", the "general health and welfare clause" and "good and plenty clause" have been so twisted out of shape such that the politicians believe those clauses were written to give the federal government practically unlimited power.
Please ~ping~ me to articles relating to the 10th Amendment/States Rights so I can engage the pinger.
If you want on or off the ping list just say the word.
Additional Resources:
Tenth Amendment Chronicles Thread
Tenth Amendment Center
Firearms Freedom Act
Health Care Nullification
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“Every time there is a budget battle near the end of the fiscal year, there is talk of shutting down all “non-essential” government offices. Which begs the questions, “Why do we have government offices that aren’t essential in the first place.”
Bears repeating.
“If they have a hard time deciding what and how to cut... Have them call me.
I have a list. Full list of Federal Agencies
I will provide detailed plans to use in crafting legislation and full citation of applicable Art 1 Sec 8 specified duties for what’s left.
I’ll do this for a grand total of $250k/year, plus medical and dental, and I’ll consider myself under contract until the list above matches Art 1 Sec 8. I’ll work from home on my own computers. I’ll have the first bills ready to be voted upon by the time the next Congress is seated.”
You’re hired.
Unfortunately it isn’t that simple.
That borrowed money is 10% of GDP.
You suddenly pull that 10% out and you have a depression - or worse.
Politicians spending borrowed money has turned into essentially a heroin addiction for all. Now there’s no way out without extreme pain. But if one doesn’t stop, one dies. The problems is, it seems most would rather ride it to the bitter end than suffer the pain of changing course.
Absolutely.
Some people as they get a bit older and wiser, eventually figure that out.
No one paid into a "gov't handout", we (and you) pay in to a "fund" alleged and purported to be a quasi retirement "fund".
It was Lyndon Johnson who "took it out of that fund" and called it "general fund" thus making it available for politicians to use as they wish for the "operation of the country"
Because of THAT, our SS checks come from the money collected from your last week's paycheck.
No work, no workers, no workers, no SS funds, no SS funds, a ton of pissed off, armed old geezers whom are one foot in the grave don't give a shit ready to do damage and really not too particular whom they direct that damage to except it will be "gov't"
They have been saying that for years, what have they cut? Gov grew more under Bush then it did under Clinton! They are liars.
The answer to that is NO. I offer for consideration the 'rules change,' from the most recent RNC Convention.
(We support the review and examination of all federal agencies to eliminate wasteful spending, operational inefficiencies, or abuse of power to determine whether they are performing functions that are better performed by the States,” the platform reads. “These functions, as appropriate, should be returned to the States in accordance with the Tenth Amendment of the United States Constitution.”
And:I wish the Republican Platform was binding.
Why? Because the GOP, for all intents and purposes, has just proposed to eliminate the Department of Education, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Energy, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Health and Human Services, along with a host of other government programs, agencies, and departments.)
If they would do what they pomise, then the national debt would decrease rapidly and these worthoess agencies and the liberals who hurt America would have to find a real job.
You do realize those “programs” you mentioned were created by democrats.
(The GOP’s promises are pretty meaningless)
Then a third party for conservatives only must be created.
Please God let this be true!
American love their PORK too much (and that includes most Republicans/conservatives). As long as they can bribe with their votes the elected representative to Congress to bring home the pork to their State or district, we will have humongous Federal government.
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