Last Friday I had the honor of sitting in for Pastor John Jones on “Eye on Education” ( www.wspd.com click “podcasts” then “Eye on Toledo” for 6/24/2011). John is a man who understands the jots and tittles, ins and outs and plusses and minuses of the local school systems. I do not, but as a former college teacher, I thought that we might explore education from a somewhat different perspective. We explored the function or purpose of education and had a lively discussion with our callers. Also on Friday, I wrote one of my best columns (immodesty alert!) called “Death and Taxes” about the insanity of the estate tax ( www.littlestuff-minoosha.blogspot.com ; click on “Death and Taxes” in archives). These two Friday events were the beginning of this column’s germination.
WTF…what’s the function of government and every action undertaken by government? On a philosophical plane we can explore the function and necessity for certain government activities by studying the Declaration of Independence, The Articles of Confederation, The Constitution of the United States, The Federalist Papers, the Mayflower Compact, the Magna Charta, various State Constitutions, The Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions of 1798-99, and other nuggets in the historical record. The underlying theme through many of these documents is the writers, debaters, Founders and Framers sought to protect individual liberty above all else. They were willing it seems, to countenance any number of social outrageousness in order to preserve inalienable, God-given rights for individuals.
If you are a regular reader of this column, you have probably noticed that I believe all candidates for public office should pass a litmus test for personal freedom. If they fail to discuss the primacy of individual as the foundation of our communities, state or nation, they have, in my view, forfeited their opportunity to earn my support. Assuming that a candidate survives the scrutiny and wins election, I would expect the newly-elected official to view every governmental action through the complementary prisms of liberty and constitutionality. Why anyone with a brain and a conscience would seek office, campaign vigorously, win, take the oath and ignore the very foundations of our republic is beyond my feeble comprehension. Candidates and office holders should be routinely reminded that they serve the free people of the republic. They weren’t elected to the post of Santa Claus, but to protect our liberty and our rights.
Taxes: What is the purpose of this tax? Is it Constitutional? Does it defy my oath? Is it unnecessarily limiting the freedom of our people, or is it punitive? Is this tax or fee absolutely required for our government to perform its Constitutional mandate, and will this tax be administered as justly as is humanly possible? All taxes will have a sunset of no more than 5 years. All taxes will require a 2/3 majority to be levied.
Spending: Does this appropriation comply with Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution? Is it needed or absolutely necessary? Does this spending create or enable some unconstitutional overreach of government? Will this expenditure generate a new long-term obligation that will bind the hands and limit options for the future? What measurable outcome based on hard data do we expect from this line item? Do we have the funding for this? All spending will sunset with the expiration of the budget cycle in which it was appropriated. (Zero-based budgeting).
Regulation: A liberty-respecting officeholder WILL NOT give carte blanche regulatory power to unelected, unaccountable bureaucrats. Each new law with a regulatory component must meet Constitutional muster and be written specifically to address the exact problem or over sight that precipitated the legislation. All regulations will be reviewed by the appropriate Congressional Committee for economic impact and viability every two years and shall sunset after ten years.
Legislation: Is it Constitutional? Is it moral? Does it imperil individual liberty? Each legislative initiative must be limited to one specific item….no omnibus bills except for the annual budget. Does this bill strengthen the republic by advancing the cause of personal freedom? Does this bill infringe on ANY inalienable right? Does this bill unconstitutionally place a mandate on states, local governments or individuals? All laws will sunset after 10 years.
This is not an exhaustive list, but any public officeholder who truly loves liberty will consider these questions before submitting a bill or voting for one. Really, What is The Function of government, of this bill, of this spending or of this tax? Liberty, Constitution, function and purpose should be the templates for governing. Finally, What is The Function of career politicians? Are they necessary or desirable? Why have them?
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