Reducing Federal Power Through the States

By now, it should be clear all fourteen of you (and hopefully a few more folks) that our federal government has become too big, too intrusive and very costly. Do you agree that a government that can dictate which type of light bulbs you can buy has crossed the line?

Left unchecked, Washington will impose ever more restrictions upon our freedom, despite the Constitution's clear intent and language that prohibits this.

Liberal politicians appoint liberal judges who then "interpret away" our rights. Popular leftist political thought posits that the Constitution is always open to interpretation, but increasingly, we hear the term "may be illegal" or "thought to be illegal." The point I'm trying to make is that if there is doubt about a law, then that law is poorly written and should be considered for repeal.

If we are to live by the rules, the rules deserve to be clear.

I'm certain that previous generations, being closer in time to the original reasons and circumstances of the American Revolution were keenly aware of the dangers of a large government. Anything that might have been omitted from the Constitution was simply kept in the heart. It was understood that those entering politics would always and without question uphold the Original Intent of our Founders that the people were to be free and the government was to be as insignificant in their lives as possible, while keeping good order.

For a while, this unspoken promise was honored. But when power-hungry politicians began to outnumber average citizens in Washington, things changed. Power begat corruption.

Since we have arrived at the fulcrum where the Federal Branch has exceeded its power, it's up to the States and the People to reduce that power. I propose this be done through Constitutional Convention, the method of adding amendments outlined in Article V.

What should be proposed? Here's what I'd do:

1. No member of Congress is exempt from any law, nor shall enjoy any extra considerations of office not available to the average private Citizen.

2. The Federal Budget will be balanced every year and capped at no more than 18% of Gross Domestic Product as currently measured, except in wartime as declared by Congress.

3. Every Executive Order issued by the President must be reviewed by the Supreme Court for Constitutionality and final approval.

4. All laws will be written in common English and will be read out loud on the floor of each Chamber of Congress. If laws cannot be easily summed up in one or two sentences, they will not be considered.

5. Federal Law may be repealed with a vote by three-quarters of State Legislatures.

6. All Federal Judges can be recalled by popular vote in the states of their districts.


When elected officials cannot control themselves, controls must be placed upon them.