The Scourge Of “Domestic Policy”
By Sam Weaver (04/21/04)
The United States of America was founded amidst a tempest of nasty debate between Federalists and Anti-Federalists. The Federalists favored a strong national government with some measure of power and authority over the several states. The failures of the Articles of Confederation were utmost on their minds. Anti-Federalists, on the other hand, argued vehemently for a very weak central government and for virtual autonomy among the states. The Bill of Rights was the first major compromise of the infant republic.
During all of those extremely passionate debates, I do not believe the term “domestic policy” was ever used. I know for an absolute fact that the concept of “domestic policy”, as we know it today, was never envisaged by our Founders! America’s first big compromise—the Bill of Rights: specifically the Ninth and Tenth Amendments—placed virtually all “domestic policy” squarely within the jurisdiction of the states and the people. A strong national government with specific, enumerated powers was necessary primarily for foreign policy, national security and national defense. [Article I, Section 8 of the U. S. Constitution lists most of these specific powers.]
Modern conventional wisdom assumes that any president of the United States has two fundamental priorities—foreign policy and domestic policy. In some circles it is even believed that a presidential administration’s domestic policy is more important than its foreign policy. This myth is reinforced every election year when pundits and politicians utter the phrase, “People vote according to their pocketbooks.” [Remember the slogan of the 1992 election—“It’s the economy, stupid!”] September 11, 2001, should have put this myth to rest. But did it?!
Realistically, the only “direct” positive impact that any president could possibly have on the economy is through advocacy and implementation (with the consent of the Congress!) of tax cuts, deregulation of businesses and reduced government spending. The economic boom of the 1990’s had nothing to do with Bill Clinton’s policies. It was, in fact, in spite of the tax increases that individuals and businesses were forced to endure as a result of Clinton’s policies. The Boom of the 90’s was largely the result of new, creative, and dynamic growth in the technology sector; along with loose credit that allowed many individuals and businesses to obtain both the hardware and the software that drove this boom. [Of course, there were several other factors that led to the bubble of the 1990’s, none of which, however, had anything to do with the policies of the Clinton Administrations. Unless, perhaps, you consider the premise that some execs thought, “Hey, look what this reprobate got away with! Maybe I can get away with some wild stuff, too!”]
Some of America’s most sagacious and influential Founders warned repeatedly in so many words that American liberty and prosperity would be doomed once the people learned that they could vote largess out of the public treasury. The contemporary concept of domestic policy has become a veritable free-for-all among individuals, groups, organizations, corporations, universities, and state and local governments to see who can get the biggest check from the federal treasury.
The term “domestic policy” did not enter the American vernacular until after Franklin D. Roosevelt “broke the line” that James Madison spoke about in 1794. As reported by the Philadelphia Gazette and Universal Daily Advertiser in January of that year:
“Mr. Madison…was afraid of establishing a dangerous precedent, which might hereafter be perverted to the countenance of purposes, very different from those of charity. He acknowledged, for his own part, that he could not undertake to lay his finger on that Article in the Federal Constitution, which granted a right to Congress of expending, on objects of benevolence, the money of their constituents. And if once they broke the line laid down before them, for the direction of their conduct, it was impossible to say, to what lengths they might go, or to what extremities this practice might be carried.”
Remember, James Madison was not only a Federalist; he was the Chief Architect of the U.S. Constitution!
Why are lobbyists and special-interest groups so powerful and so scorned in America today? Because they have learned that they can vote largess (i.e., goodies, benefits, charity!) from the federal trough! During the “imperial presidency” of FDR, Congress was “granted the ‘right’” of expending, on objects of benevolence, the money of their constituents. The line was broken in the 1940’s, and we are only now beginning to see the lengths that individuals, organizations, corporations, etc., might go for their chance to graze the federal green pastures.
Why are so many federal politicians today so spineless? Because they wield far less power than lobbyists and special-interest groups who use fear and propaganda to mobilize individual voters against those politicians who would “rob” voters (or potential voters) of the cornucopia of federal goodies!
The modern concept of federal domestic policy has quashed the original idea of American Liberty. American Liberty means individual freedom with responsibility and accountability to the Laws of Nature and Nature’s God. Today’s notion of federal domestic policy has taught far too many Americans that it is just fine and dandy to rely on government for a helping hand—or even a hand-out! Not only does this fancy defy liberty, it invites tyranny and enslavement! We ask far too frequently today, “What can our country do for us?” We tend to forget the very fact that our life, liberty and livelihood comes from the Creator. And why not? Uncle Sam’s domestic policy will always be there to provide a safety net when we forget! I am not by any means pointing a finger exclusively at individual citizens. Savvy lawyers and effective PR firms have learned how to roll in the federal handouts for corporate and special interests as well!
After many trillions of taxpayer dollars spent from FDR’s “New Deal” through LBJ’s “Great Society” to the early years of the 21st century, the poverty rate in America remains basically unchanged since the 1940’s. Social Security and Medicare will be bankrupt in a few short years unless drastic changes are made. Voter apathy and cynicism abound. Special interests rule. Individual liberty is threatened if not dead. What good has federal domestic policy produced? How many unintended consequences has it wrought?
The modern idea of domestic policy is absolutely unconstitutional. It thwarts the wisdom and the urging of America’s Founders. It jeopardizes American liberty and prosperity. It was conceived in the minds of socialists and secularists who could never fully grasp the meaning, nor the Source, of true American Liberty.
If American Liberty and the American Ideal are to survive, Americans must cease placing selfish, immediate and specious interests at the forefront. We all must return to the wisdom of our Founders and focus upon the Laws of Nature and Nature’s God. We must divest the federal government of its tyrannical, bureaucratic hold on domestic policy and replace all domestic policy in the hands of the states and the people where it belongs!
Jesus said, “For the poor always ye have with you…” (KJV John 12:8) [See also Matthew 26:11 and Mark 14:7] As individuals, it is both our duty and our responsibility to help those who are less fortunate than ourselves in every way that we can. When we cede this duty and responsibility to an all-powerful federal government, we shirk our own individual duties and responsibilities. We let bureaucrats, politicians and lawyers determine both who is poor, and who should be held responsible to help the poor. Bureaucrats, politicians and lawyers almost never hold the poor absolutely accountable for their own actions. Why not? Because bureaucrats, politicians and lawyers always follow the money. Poor people don’t have any money. That’s why they’re poor. Class warfare equals big bucks, if you know what I mean.
When We the People accept the modern notion of domestic policy, we are placing our own duties and responsibilities in the hands of politicians, bureaucrats and lawyers. At this point, liberty becomes a pipe dream. Socialism and totalitarianism gains a strong foothold. Cynicism and despair guide every election.
It is my heartfelt prayer that every American voter learns, understands and heeds the wisdom of our Founding Fathers. Liberty is absolute individual freedom as long as that individual is responsible to the Laws of Nature and Nature’s God and is held accountable for any violation of that Law. Tyranny is the result of forgetting or neglecting this valuable concept. Despotism is the antithesis of the American Ideal.
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