The modern movement to rationally deal with accelerating tyranny picked up steam in 2013 upon publication of Mark Levin’s Liberty Amendments. Between the thunder of his radio show, and eleven prescriptions to restore free government, Levin reminded us that federalism was the foundation of the unique and proven American system. Federalism is the means to put the ends of the Declaration of Independence into practice. The bold declaration that government exists to secure unalienable rights was refined in the Preamble of the Constitution:
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
The institutions established by the Constitution served the Framers’ means to the ends of justice, tranquility, common defense, general welfare and the blessings of liberty. The practice of shared powers between the people, the states, and the government of their creation ensured the means to ends relationship would remain. Shared powers means federalism, and federalism means the participation of the states in government.
The Framers determined that federalism was essential to free government, that happy condition wherein government secures the unalienable rights of the nation and makes no law without its consent.
Not very much remains of the federal form of 1787. The states have little say regarding voter qualifications (Article I § 2) and haven’t participated in lawmaking, treaties, or appointments to high offices since 1913.
From that wonderful, freedom enhancing structure of government, there remains but one entirely federal institution, the Electoral College. Unfortunately, it is also under duress as the leftist National Popular Vote movement seeks to democratize presidential elections at the expense of the states and our freedom.
Has the rise of popularly derived institutions better served the ends of our Declaration and Constitution? What is the condition of American society? Has society grown happier with the rise of democratic institutions?
No.
If our grand experiment in free government is to survive, the Framers’ federal institutions must be restored and defended. The 17th Amendment must go. We are the many; our oppressors are the few. Be proactive. Be a Re-Founder. Join Convention of States.