The Growth of the American Government
Written for December 14, 2007
Ryan Hampton
The American Government has grown emmensly from its original intentions. The early American way of free choice, a strong defense, the right to bear arms, a free market, etc., has been replaced by government programs and government laws that destroy the dignity of this nation. Perhaps the worst part of this is that it comes from the Federal Government – not state governments. The Federal Government has forgotten its Constitutional purpose and has in effect deteriorated what should be the American way – and the people do not even realize it.
The early American government worked generally according to plan. There were not many government programs to help different people, nor were there many government laws taking away free choice. The government had its problems but the general tone of the early years of American government was good and Constitutional. But somehow this good government has deteriorated. When did the American government begin to deteriorate? When did the government grow past its Constitutional authority?
Most historians at some level or another, credit the War Between the States as the growth or changing point for American government. These United States became known as The United States. The Federal, or perhaps better put, Central Government, was no longer a covenantal body of government to protect the rights of the states and the people therein, and provide a strong national defense. It was now a massive body of government used to take away states right’s, and the rights of the people therein. It became the one government of America for all Americans. It was the supplier of goods and services to Americans. The government took the place of business, trade, and freedom.
What caused this growth of government right here at the War Between the States? The two are related. There were many differences politically, economically, geographically, etc., between the North and the South, which led to much conflict. The Central Government then became the government to “fix” these problems. They did so through aggression, and disproportionate tariffs against the South. An unnecessary war was raged against the seceded South. Lincoln, then President, set the tone for big government, and it has not let up since.
After the War Between the States, the Central Government continued to increase its power. “Reconstruction” was a government force against the citizens to make the nation the way the government wanted it. Free choice was limited. The South was no longer a section of the nation with its own ways, values, and pride. It was a section for the Central Government to oppress.
As time wore on, the government continued to expand its jurisdiction. In ten years, roughly from 1859-1869, the government had grown substantially. The government started having more and more control over schools. Eventually the Central Government created a government controlled monopoly in the school system. The government continued on its path of big government leading into the twentieth century. Early in the twentieth century, more political turmoil turned the government to grow even more, and it has not let up since.
In the early twentieth century, women started complaining about their lack of rights. In theory, their fight was just. They wanted their liberty to vote and carry out their rights as citizens. But this was yet part of the political turmoil of the day. Women used much rhetoric similar to feminists today, and turned to the government for help. Regulations in what would otherwise be free trade were mandated by the government due to the fuss of women and minorities. Many other social movements came into play, such as the “social gospel,” a movement which suggested that the medium to success and a Godly environment was through government – even the Central Government. The idea of a social gospel without the government is good. This spawns new technology, new ideas, freedom, etc. But a government trying to force this gospel is dangerous.
In 1913, the government amended the Constitution to collect income taxes. Ever since this time, income taxes has been driven off the wall. Originally the founders were against income taxes. Now, the government seeks to collect them, and the income taxes are consistently growing.
Also in 1913 the Central Government passed a law regulating shooting migratory birds. The general idea to protect wildlife is good, but this kind of law is permitted no where in the Constitution.
Also in the year of 1913, the seventeenth amendment came to the United States Constitution. This amendment changed the election of the Senators to a direct vote from the people. This again sounds good on the surface, but it distracts us from the mixed government concept our founders envisioned.
Finally in 1913, President Woodrow Wilson created the Federal Reserve. This again is an example of unconstitutional, monstrous Central Government. However few people then, much less today, recognize this.
Prohibition came about in the 1920’s. This outlawed the consumption and buying of alcohol. This may seem like a good idea, but it is just another example of government growth. No where does the Constitution permit the government to do such a thing, nor at any place hint around at it to give any just notion to amend the Constitution on the matter. Prohibition led to more crime, and most people even today believe it was a bad use of government.
After these events, it seemed as if the economy was booming. The 1920’s are actually
known as the “roaring 20’s.” The economy was filled with money and many more government – seemingly at the price of no one. But this would not last. It seemed too good to be true. It was. The Great Depression hit in 1929.
It is interesting to consider that the Great Depression hit right after an economic “boom.” This economic “boom” came soon after the creation of the Federal Reserve. This points us to the danger of fiat money. Fiat money is government controlled money, and is unconstitutional.
During the Great Depression, President Franklin Roosevelt advanced the size of government all the more. He created many laws and regulations on the economy. He created social security – something once again that is unconstitutional. He sponsored the Agricultural Adjustment Act, which limited agricultural supplies! This is a silly, childish, and unconstitutional attempt to help the economy. Roosevelt is sometimes considered the President who drove America out of the depression. However he is actually a major reason it was prolonged.
In the 1940’s America became engaged in World War II. Previously, America had not been engaged in much international conflict. But since the two World War’s, especially the second one, America has been engaged in many foreign affairs – even those that are not of a direct threat to the homeland security and peace of the nation. This again is government growth.
In 1964, any hope of possibly returning to the gold standard seemed abolished. Quarters, once made of real silver, were now no longer made of silver. The real value of the quarter then decreased.
The government increased its growth by creating programs of exploration, such as exploration into space. It is a good thing to study space, but it is dangerous to do so at the Central Government level. Free markets always work better than government control.
But the government did not stop there either. The government acted unconstitutional judicially. The philosophy of John Marshall was obsolete in the minds of many judges. Many cases that the United States Supreme Court had no jurisdiction in in the first place, were ruled by the Supreme Court in perhaps the worst way possible. In 1962 the Supreme Court ruled that government schools could not permit prayer. The government, especially the Central Government, has no Constitutional authority in education in the first place. They made this worse by controlling it.
In 1973, the United States Supreme Court overturned any federal or state laws regarding abortion. Abortion was deemed by the Central Government as a natural right. Now, not even states had the authority to pass their own laws on the issue. This ruling increased the Central Government by taking away states right’s.
The United States meanwhile was engaged in all sorts of foreign affairs, some of which are not even resolved today. The government continued to grow in all these ways. In the 1990’s, government spending grew all the more. The minimum wage was increased. More and more programs for the poor and minors were established. More foreign aid was given. Government has grown all the more even in this decade as well. The Federal Debt is higher than it has ever been, and it keeps increasing. More government programs have been in place as well. In 2001, President George W. Bush issued the No Child Left Behind Act. Just after the tragic events of September 11, 2001, he issued the Patriot Act.
America has forgotten its purpose and ways of free choice, free trade, and a federal system of government. The Constitution is now seen as a way to limit the rights of the people, not the rights of the Central Government as it was supposed to. The few things that the government is supposed to do seem to be the things ignored most by politicians. Namely, these would be the protecting of our rights, state’s rights, and securing the peace at home. Only time will tell if America reverses this trend and gets back to the way its founders wanted it to be. But as for now, the Constitution is a forgotten document, and a limited government is a nearly forgotten concept.
What do you think?
God bless America
Pray for our Troops
December 17, 2007
Ryan Hampton
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