A clear view of
history, economics and human behavior reveals best practices versus sure-fire
disasters in government. Democracies failed when freedom, property rights and
individual self-support gave way to forced communitarianism and “free stuff”.
Dictatorship took over and dissolved for lack of cash. The end of these
“democracies” results in famine, death and human misery.
The Founders knew that
government must be prohibited from the kind of overreach that results in
sovereign bankruptcy. They codified their limited government in the US
Constitution and over the years we ignored these limits. The Founders were
clear in their warnings.
The US was established
as a meritocracy where individuals and families were free to own their
businesses. Families had clear property
rights and government was established to protect these rights. Government
established laws to allow individual merit to determine individual and family
prosperity. Families were free to help each other, but were not forced to do
so.
Local governments
immediately sought to support commerce with roads to get goods to market. The
connection between industries and legislatures was immediate. Protections for individuals and families had
already been established and voters supported government interest in improving
commerce.
The US made the
transition from home-based to factory-based manufacturing in the Industrial
Revolution and established railroads, bridges and canals from 1820 to 1900.
Government revenue was limited to tariffs and fees. There were no taxes on
corporate revenue or individual incomes. Based on the meritocracy model,
individuals and families earned great wealth.
The Communist
Manifesto published by Karl Marx in 1848 shined a spotlight in the plight of
the worker during the industrial revolution. Business owners were busy
inventing tools and processes to improve yields. Many jobs were dangerous and
wages were based on supply and demand. Labor was a commodity. Unions formed and
legislatures responded to worker rights issues.
In 1913, government
ended property rights and ended the meritocracy. Income and inheritance taxes
were imposed and incentives were destroyed. Technology was being developed by
industries to reduce workplace deaths, but illness due to years of exposure to
harmful substances required decades to determine. Politicians took advantage of
this and went for a power grab.
The US illegally
implemented unconstitutional socialist policies starting in 1872. The World
Wars in 1914 and 1941 further consolidated power to the federal government.
Common sense tells us
that we as individuals are primarily responsible for our own health, education,
occupational choices and defense. Government has usurped these responsibilities
and now these needs are no longer controlled by the laws of supply and demand.
Consumers do not control the prices and current costs are unsustainable.
The 2020 elections
will determine if the US will reverse socialist systems or double down to
become Venezuela.
Norb Leahy, Dunwoody
GA Tea Party Leader
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