“The moment the idea is admitted into society that property is not as sacred as the law of God, and that there is not a force of law and public justice to protect it, anarchy and tyranny commence.” – John Adams, 2nd President of the United States
“Unfortunately…Congress has largely ignored the constitutional limits on its power. And the courts…have only abetted the resulting growth of government by fashioning constitutional doctrines that have no basis whatever in the Constitution.” – Roger Pilon, Cato Institute
Unfortunately for progressives, the application of the basic principles of the U.S. Constitution, coupled with free-market capitalism (not socialism and economic dependence), will improve the lives of all Americans.
As our economy continues to grow there will be more jobs, bigger paychecks and the need for dependency on government shrinks. People relearn how to live without overweening government intrusion in their lives. Optimism, vitality and opportunity all flourish.
Our written Constitution and free-market capitalist system are not perfect, but they are so much better than any other political or economic system; there is no second place. The imperfections of our Constitution and free-market capitalism are minuscule when compared to the positive good our system produces. On the other hand, the imperfections of all of the other systems far outweigh whatever inherent good they may possess or produce.
Our American written Constitution and free-market system has the ability to correct imperfections as they occur. Several factors make this so:
·Constitutionally protected property rights.
·Rule of law based on our written Constitution.
·Separate, co-equal branches of government
·Limits on government’s role in society
·Free-market capitalism promotes competition.
·Competition promotes innovation.
·Innovation promotes economic growth.
·Economic growth promotes jobs and higher wages.
·Jobs and higher wages reduce poverty and create prosperity.
Conservatives must remain focused on correcting the imperfections to our system created by progressives. We must return to sound economic policies based on true free-market capitalism, respect of property rights, the rule of law and written constitutional primacy. We must return our Republic to its constitutional, free-market roots.
Progressivism, socialism and all other state-dominated political and economic systems have little or no ability to correct their imperfections. State-run economies most often destroy themselves with their social and economic imperfections.
Replacing one power structure with another that channels the power they replace only changes who wields the power; the imperfections of state power over the individual stay the same. Power resides in the hands of politicians and bureaucrats that have no check, except revolution, against the inevitable abuse of power and corruption that comes with absolute power.
Progressives know that they can’t produce what they promise, which is why progressives in Maine and nationally are in an unhinged state of panic. Moreover, they won’t give up their power and privilege, even if doing so would be a huge boon to the American people. As a result, progressives turn to government force to keep their power.
Power to the people in the 1960’s was based on a weak solution. Power to the people today, based on the people’s unalienable rights being paramount and the government’s rights limited (pay attention to the 9th and 10th Amendments), is the recipe for a successful society.