William H Watson asked:
The president released his budget for 2010 and it raises a question that no one seems to be asking. It is a question at the very heart of our constitution. Why is the federal government funding, and thus jumping with both feet into local affairs?
An African proverb says “it takes a village to raise a child”. Hillary Clinton wrote a book a few years ago making that her title. The point is that a local community should work together in helping children get the eduction they need. When a family falls short the community can help. A quick look at next years federal budget leads me to believe the big bad federal government intends to drive the local agenda.
When you visit the White House website to get a quick version of the proposed budget, you find an interesting image. It’s a map of the country and you can click on any state to see how the budgeted money will be spent locally. I viewed the billions going to Illinois, my home state. Money is designated for schools, teachers, roads, water and sewer infrastructure, airport renovations, housing assistance, daycare, financing for small business, health coverage for low-income families, additional health clinics, high-speed railway, and that is just the beginning. They did, however, leave out the drainage problem in my backyard!
Wow, we have come a long way since Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and the boys who wrote the constitution. The 10th amendment reads, “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.” In other words, all that stuff listed in the last paragraph, should never be in the national budget.
In the Federalist Papers (#45), James Madison further explained this amendment. He said, “The powers delegated by the proposed constitution to the Federal Government are few and defined. Those which remain in the State Governments are numerous and indefinite. The former will be exercised principally on external objects, as war, peace negotiation, and foreign commerce…The powers reserved to the states will extend to all the objects, which, in the ordinary course of affairs, concern the lives, liberties and properties of the people, and the internal order, improvement, and prosperity of the state.” In other words, what is the federal government doing building a new snack bar at O’Hare Airport?
Our national government is facing huge challenges that are spelled out in the constitution. We have two wars, immigration nightmares, industry regulation needs, foreign negotiations (Iran, China, North Korea, etc.), global trade issues, and yet, Washington bureaucrats are trying to provide a better pooping system (sewer) for my neighborhood?
The last election makes me believe that I may be in the minority on this issue. Progressives are fully in favor of big government control of personal matters. They see the federal government as the best answer for social needs. I do not. I see the “village” as the first and primary support for local affairs.
I am glad to see the high-speed train coming to Chicago. We appreciate the billions of dollars coming from all the states, even though 99.9% of you will never be a passenger. We could make it fine without the train, but it will be really cool. I can’t wait to ride it. Thanks again for the money.
Kansieo.com
The president released his budget for 2010 and it raises a question that no one seems to be asking. It is a question at the very heart of our constitution. Why is the federal government funding, and thus jumping with both feet into local affairs?
An African proverb says “it takes a village to raise a child”. Hillary Clinton wrote a book a few years ago making that her title. The point is that a local community should work together in helping children get the eduction they need. When a family falls short the community can help. A quick look at next years federal budget leads me to believe the big bad federal government intends to drive the local agenda.
When you visit the White House website to get a quick version of the proposed budget, you find an interesting image. It’s a map of the country and you can click on any state to see how the budgeted money will be spent locally. I viewed the billions going to Illinois, my home state. Money is designated for schools, teachers, roads, water and sewer infrastructure, airport renovations, housing assistance, daycare, financing for small business, health coverage for low-income families, additional health clinics, high-speed railway, and that is just the beginning. They did, however, leave out the drainage problem in my backyard!
Wow, we have come a long way since Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and the boys who wrote the constitution. The 10th amendment reads, “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.” In other words, all that stuff listed in the last paragraph, should never be in the national budget.
In the Federalist Papers (#45), James Madison further explained this amendment. He said, “The powers delegated by the proposed constitution to the Federal Government are few and defined. Those which remain in the State Governments are numerous and indefinite. The former will be exercised principally on external objects, as war, peace negotiation, and foreign commerce…The powers reserved to the states will extend to all the objects, which, in the ordinary course of affairs, concern the lives, liberties and properties of the people, and the internal order, improvement, and prosperity of the state.” In other words, what is the federal government doing building a new snack bar at O’Hare Airport?
Our national government is facing huge challenges that are spelled out in the constitution. We have two wars, immigration nightmares, industry regulation needs, foreign negotiations (Iran, China, North Korea, etc.), global trade issues, and yet, Washington bureaucrats are trying to provide a better pooping system (sewer) for my neighborhood?
The last election makes me believe that I may be in the minority on this issue. Progressives are fully in favor of big government control of personal matters. They see the federal government as the best answer for social needs. I do not. I see the “village” as the first and primary support for local affairs.
I am glad to see the high-speed train coming to Chicago. We appreciate the billions of dollars coming from all the states, even though 99.9% of you will never be a passenger. We could make it fine without the train, but it will be really cool. I can’t wait to ride it. Thanks again for the money.
Kansieo.com
