Of Governing Style

[Jerry]

Accepting that the United States government is a federation of states and as such is a republic governed by a constitution establishing three branches; legislative, administrative, and judicial, democratically appointed by the people. The purpose of the constitution is stated succinctly in its preamble.

We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, 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.

There are some elements of our manner of governing that regularly bring disputes to the fore. These times, seemingly more than many other eras, are causing more dividing quarrels among various groups. I thought it worth discussion and have listed some of those and my initial thoughts. These subjects may be in discussion in other forums, but I think this heading may help us discern the generally understanding the various philosophies of the present circumstances.


• Redistribution
o Taxes may be increased so long as the citizen believes he is paying himself. So long as taxes are believed collected for use of the public generally in such uses as providing for transportation of people and goods, safety of the people, communication by the people and other such, people will not object, but when collected for particular citizens good and not all, complaints and objections will grow. Is redistribution valid?

• Criminal law, its enforcement and justice system.
o Whether applied leniently or harshly, so long as equally to all citizens, it will be generally acceptable. Are those corrupters who have taken millions of dollars treated more lenient than bandits taking tens of dollars?

• Encumbrances
o When citizens are free to pursue their art (ideas or labor) the general improvement to comfort will be provided to all citizens will be greater than if government determines and supports guides through magistrate actions. Are regulations established based on clearly established and accepted evidence or on the aspirations of a few, i.e.; clean energy policy?

• Declaration of War
o In his ‘Concerning Civil Government’ John Locke provided the most perfect description to me. In short when there is a state of enmity allowing for no other escape other than one’s own destruction exists, it is a state of war. Should we quickly exit both Iraq and Afghanistan?
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[JPhillips]

Redistribution

People complain about their tax dollars being spent to help others until they need it themselves. Then they claim they are entitled to the benefits because they pay taxes.

Criminal law, its enforcement and justice system.

We have the best justice money can buy. God help you if you can't afford a good attorney and must depend on a public defender. It also helps if you have connections.

Encumbrances

Actually this one is tough. Everybody wants to improve the ecology and environment, but the sacrifices are so great. Nobody wants to allow drilling for oil in their own state. We can always import from another state that allows drilling.

Seriously, I honestly feel regulations are necessary. Otherwise you would have toxic waste being dumped in your backyard. And what about protection of the ozone layer? Would you want to turn Yellowstone National Park into a giant shopping mall?


Declaration of War

We should look before we leap. I think we've stirred up a hornets' nest. I think we got fooled into going to war in Iraq. I was in favor of fighting the Taliban in Alfghanistan because they supported the terrorists. I think we should treat this war like a hospital treats an emergency admit when the patient does not have any money; stabilize as quickly as possible and discharge.

[Jerry]

JPhillips

Thanks; Montesquieu concluded good virtues are more necessary in a republic and democratic constitution. Maybe he is right and it would be helpful if school instruction more prominately featured its study.

Redistribution:
Yes, you are right. I am also thinking of the studies of Sen. P. Moynihan in the early sixties and his argument against the "aid to dependent children" as it was being applied. A change was enacted about 1995 that requires more effort for each to support themself. I wonder what affect that has had?


Criminal Law:
True, money buys freedom. I don't know a reasonable way to change this. The use of sophistic methods in the courtroom also gives me a queezy feeling, but again, if I were a defendent I would sure want the best of it.

Encumbrances:
I have witnessed a man's private property taken when it could be seen miles distant from the "Blue Ridge Parkway", a scenic highway near me. I thought this was too! And there are the recent occasions of private property being taken by the public for other private use. A few celebrated cases have permitted that. Is my esthetic view or my private purpose more important and acceptable than anone else's? It is a tough nut.

Declaration of war:
I am more coming to the view that a decision to war needs more dire circumstances than those since WWII. Vietnam and Iraq have brought such disagreements they have very nearly brought us down internally. Claudian said "It is no victory unless the vanquished foe admits your mastery". In other words, unless we have the need and will to kill large numbers, we should avoid the act of war. Though I thought president Bush address at Whitehall was eloquent but maybe not good and proper reason to war. Maybe only when the alternative is surrender to an opponent is war justified.

The terms 'Liberal' and 'Conservative' are applied to a general difference of philosophy of our individual ways of thinking to governing matters. Those, though, have come to a poor discription since at times liberal means more liberty and other times conservative does. They are confusing terms and I thought commentaries to these several questions would provide a clearer understanding of each of our personal views. When more permissive on the one am I more also of the others.

[JPhillips]

Jerry

I am of the opinion that we should teach others to help themselves whenever possible. I am also of the opionion that we can't let children die simply because they have lazy parents. This country must find a way to help the poor without allowing exploitation. We have to change our way of thinking to do this, and that is the most difficult thing of all to do. Keep in mind that a group is often defined by the members of the group who are causing the most problems. This is unfair, yet undeniable.

As far as criminal laws, I don't know any fair way to address the inherent problems either. Society favors those who have social status, power, and money. Even in primitive tribes, the Chief and the Witch Doctor are shown favoritism.

Perhaps I misunderstood what you meant regarding encumbrances. I don't like the government seizing private property for any reason, lest it should seize mine. When the government forces us to give up our home at a price which the government deems fair (even if it is for a pittance of the price we would independently seek), in order to allow the establishment of a business enterprise for the benefit of the community at large, I think we should all be concerned.

I can't argue with your logic regarding war. We tend to allow the government to use our emotion rather than our good sense when the government seeks our approval for going to war. Wars are usually started as an emotional response to an attack on our fellow countrymen rather than in our defense in the manner of which you speak. We did enter into World War II because we were in fear of losing our freedom or our democracy. We did not realize until later that there was justification other than retaliation for the attack on Pearl Harbor.

[Jerry]

JPhillips

I stumbled into this web site and read the posts in the ‘Patriotism’ section only because it was at top of the list at the time; thought it interesting and decided to join in. I do read histories and some philosophy writings, mostly translations from ancient Greek and Roman periods, but I have never formally discussed such matters.

My discovery is I thought I had fairly firm convictions on most any sort of topic. Now through a few iterations I find I am unsure of convictions on most that is discussed. If it is the intent of philosophy to confuse and confound, it has found success in me.

[JPhillips]

Jerry

In our overeagerness to help the poor, we have created a dependent society. It does not mean the desire to help others is wrong, but does indicate to me that we have not gone about it in the right way. A different approach is needed.