- Oct 7, 2011
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Interesting take from Brion McClanahan.
I am often asked in interviews if the founding generation would recognize the modern government in Washington, D.C. I always answer yes, they would. They would recognize tyranny, the usurpation of power by the executive branch, the trampling of civil liberties and the endless wars of a government bent on empire. The several states seceded from a government like that in 1776 and they would probably advocate the same course today. Barack Obama has more power than George III ever had. That said, the next question is usually, Well, what do we do about it and who among the current crop of presidential candidates would best adhere to the founding principles?"
The answer to the first part of that question is more complex than the answer to the second part. If Americans truly believed in limited government, then we would be following the prescription that Thomas Jefferson and James Madison made in 1798 by ignoring unconstitutional federal laws, participating in local and state government and using the powers of the states as a hedge against the general government. This is a long war that requires education and what Jefferson called manly firmness. Most important, the Constitution would not have been ratified had the founding generation believed that the states would become mere provinces of the general government or that what Patrick Henry called the sweeping clauses would be abused. The political class has to be held responsible.
As for the second part of that question, the answer is simple: Ron Paul. No one man can save the federal republic, but if the Founders, with perhaps an exception or two, had their choice, it would be the man who has the best understanding of the original construction of the executive branch, and among the four remaining Republicans, the best understanding of the Constitution and the original intent in general. Mitt Romney has conceded he knows little about the principles of federalism (with the exception of correctly insisting that Romneycare in Massachusetts is a state issue) and defers to Paul on the Constitution; Newt Gingrich believes that federal judges should be dragged before Congress to answer for their decisions (News flash, Newt! Federal judges can be impeached); Rick Santorum thinks that the phrase pursuit of happiness is in the Constitution, or perhaps the Declaration of Independence is a governing document, I couldnt tell by his incoherent statements to Glenn Beck. All believe that the general government should be charged with finding solutions to societal ills. All believe that the president is a prime minister charged with initiating legislation and have a progressive view of executive powers, particularly in regard to foreign policy, the antithesis of the original intent. All, that is, except Ron Paul.
Read more: Ron Paul | Which GOP candidate would the Founders support? | The Daily Caller
I am often asked in interviews if the founding generation would recognize the modern government in Washington, D.C. I always answer yes, they would. They would recognize tyranny, the usurpation of power by the executive branch, the trampling of civil liberties and the endless wars of a government bent on empire. The several states seceded from a government like that in 1776 and they would probably advocate the same course today. Barack Obama has more power than George III ever had. That said, the next question is usually, Well, what do we do about it and who among the current crop of presidential candidates would best adhere to the founding principles?"
The answer to the first part of that question is more complex than the answer to the second part. If Americans truly believed in limited government, then we would be following the prescription that Thomas Jefferson and James Madison made in 1798 by ignoring unconstitutional federal laws, participating in local and state government and using the powers of the states as a hedge against the general government. This is a long war that requires education and what Jefferson called manly firmness. Most important, the Constitution would not have been ratified had the founding generation believed that the states would become mere provinces of the general government or that what Patrick Henry called the sweeping clauses would be abused. The political class has to be held responsible.
As for the second part of that question, the answer is simple: Ron Paul. No one man can save the federal republic, but if the Founders, with perhaps an exception or two, had their choice, it would be the man who has the best understanding of the original construction of the executive branch, and among the four remaining Republicans, the best understanding of the Constitution and the original intent in general. Mitt Romney has conceded he knows little about the principles of federalism (with the exception of correctly insisting that Romneycare in Massachusetts is a state issue) and defers to Paul on the Constitution; Newt Gingrich believes that federal judges should be dragged before Congress to answer for their decisions (News flash, Newt! Federal judges can be impeached); Rick Santorum thinks that the phrase pursuit of happiness is in the Constitution, or perhaps the Declaration of Independence is a governing document, I couldnt tell by his incoherent statements to Glenn Beck. All believe that the general government should be charged with finding solutions to societal ills. All believe that the president is a prime minister charged with initiating legislation and have a progressive view of executive powers, particularly in regard to foreign policy, the antithesis of the original intent. All, that is, except Ron Paul.
Read more: Ron Paul | Which GOP candidate would the Founders support? | The Daily Caller
