Introduction

Our original Constitution was designed to guard a form of government known as a republic. A republic supposedly protects its citizens against those who would prefer to be rulers rather than representatives. Since the rise of progressivism, culminating in the power of F. D. Roosevelt, the Constitution has been under assault from those who desire a strong centralized form of government. However, while it would be easy to blame progressives in power for the demise of a constitutional republic and the rise of absolute democracy, we the people are as much, if not more, to blame for the condition this nation finds itself.

Government as God

It is difficult to pinpoint the exact time in our history when people’s view of the government changed from that which needed its power to be kept in check to an institution that exists to meet all the people’s needs and desires. Perhaps its historical mark is with FDR, but most likely before when the progressive era actually begin. Woodrow Wilson and Theodore Roosevelt marked some of the earlier beginnings of progressive ideology. With the rise of progressivism, government came to be viewed as an institution to be commandeered by bureaucratic experts who knew better than the people concerning their needs. However, again, the people themselves had to buy into this notion. Ask people today, particular in the areas of security and economics, when problems arise, then the government should do something. Such a mindset has affected both our domestic and foreign policies. Government is called upon to solve all our problems. From Social Security to DEI regulations, the all powerful State is the panacea needed to create the good life with equity for all.

Constitutional Crisis

In order for the Nanny State to become the all powerful caretaker, the U. S. Constitution as originally written must be undermined or shredded all together. Over the decades, we have watched states’ rights dwindle as the power of the centralized State increases. Rather than allowing states, counties, and municipalities to determine their own laws and regulations, people look to a federal law to commandeer all states. Moreover, there are movements to replace the electoral college with popular vote going the winner of the presidential election. A professor from UC Berkeley, for this very reason, has called for the Constitution to be rewritten. Basically, what this would mean is that New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Houston would elect the president every four years. An absolute democracy is the antithesis of a republican form of government. What centralized planners and absolute democrats are saying is that people in certain parts of the country do not deserve representation. 

Foreign Policy

Under a centralized all-powerful State, a country’s foreign policy turns from defense into imperialistic expansionism. History points this out with Woodrow Wilson’s move to have the U.S. enter W.W. I. Then came FDR’s manipulation that led to U.S. involvement in W.W. II. Historically, the expansionism on the part of the U.S. has continued from the Korean War through Vietnam to Iraq to Afghanistan to the Mideast. Presently, we face a showdown with Russia. Although the progressives from the Democratic Party appear to be the movers behind domestic policy, the Neo-conservatives, found mainly in the Republican Party are the movers and shakers behind our foreign policy. Both parties, however, tend toward progressive measures in both domestic and foreign policies. Listening to the previous presidential debates, one is at a lost in hearing anything that resembles a desire to return the country to a republic form of government. 

Economics of Inflation

Keynesianism is tailored for an all-powerful centralized State. If it’s the government that is to solve all our problems and carve out the good-life for us, then economic-decisions should be in its hands as much as possible. This is accomplished via government spending, whereby bureaucratic government workers and politicians determine how people’s money is to be spent for what. The only problem with this scenario is that the State does not have any money of its own. What it spends it must have already taken from others. Politicians, however, cannot be re-elected if they preach higher taxes. So where does the State turn to obtain more dollars to spend – the government printing press. Consequently, more dollars flood the economy, dollars that have not been produced via entrepreneurial activity, the result being, not only an unfathomable growing debt approaching 35-trillion dollars, but also a cheapening effect on the dollar for which people work. In turn, we see prices go up in every sphere from groceries, to general services, to automobiles, to home costs, etc. At present, the dollar is in a devastating destructive decline. Some countries are already seeking to disconnect their currency from the dollar. The next Federal budget will witness 20% of government spending simply to pay the interest on the debt. As long as people believe that it is the State’s business to solve economic problems, government interventionism into private businesses will continue to grow exponentially. If you are someone who takes a few minutes out of everyday to meditate, reflect on the number 35-trillion, and see if you can actually fathom what that means in terms of dollars and government debt. 

Political Correctness Gone Awry

Anyone who watched the opening ceremonies of the Olympics, followed by a male boxer identifying as a female pound to ground hamburger the female Olympic boxers understands the lengths to which postmodernism and political correctness has taken various cultures. More seriously, such woke-ism is now becoming law per DEI regulations, for now regarding political institutions, state schools, and universities. It could be simply a matter of time before such regulations encroach upon private businesses. We witness the beginnings of this political maneuvering in some large corporations. Additionally, lawsuits attacking Christian businesses, such as bakers and florists, signaled a beginning move in the direction of the State’s dictatorial hegemony over private businesses. Some Christian bookstores have already closed their doors in fear of what DEI regulations may mean for their businesses. 

Conclusion

The previous presidential debates, as well as the two candidates involved, provide no comfort for those who desire the reduction of an ever-encroaching all-powerful State. Both candidates are more than willing to spend other people’s money. Both appear to be too friendly toward the Military Industrial Complex. Although Trump will most likely push back against woke-ism and political correctness, the Republicans surrounding him have shown no overwhelming desire in that direction, save a handful. Both parties are made up of government full-timers that keep their position by spending other people’s money. Until the people of this country decide whether or not they want to live under the Constitution as originally written, we will continue to drift towards an all-powerful State, a failed Foreign Policy, and an economics of inflationism that destroys that for which people work. 

John V. Jones, Jr., Ph.D./September 14th, 2024

ANALYSIS OF POWER