American Big Government and the Erosion of the Constitution

The United States Constitution is the supreme law of the land. It is the foundation of our government and the guarantor of our freedoms. However, in recent decades, the Constitution has been under increasing threat from the growth of big government.

Liberty Lost: American Big Government and the Erosion of the U.S. Constitution: A Brief History

by Michael Dahlen

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1682 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	61 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

Big government is a term used to describe a government that has a large presence in the lives of its citizens. Big governments typically control a large share of the economy, provide a wide range of social services, and regulate many aspects of daily life.

The growth of big government in America has been a gradual process that began in the early 20th century. However, it has accelerated in recent years, as the government has taken on new responsibilities in areas such as healthcare, education, and climate change.

As big government has grown, it has become increasingly difficult to maintain the balance of power between the government and the people. The government has become more powerful, while the people have become less free.

This erosion of the Constitution is a serious threat to our freedoms. If we do not act to stop the growth of big government, we will lose the freedoms that we have fought for and defended for centuries.

Historical Perspective

The Constitution was written in 1787, at a time when the people of the United States were deeply suspicious of government power. The Founding Fathers had just fought a war against the British government, which they saw as a tyrannical regime.

To prevent the new American government from becoming too powerful, the Founding Fathers created a system of checks and balances. This system divided the government into three branches: the legislative branch, the executive branch, and the judicial branch. Each branch was given its own powers and responsibilities, and each branch was able to check the power of the other two branches.

This system of checks and balances worked well for many years. However, it began to break down in the early 20th century, as the government began to take on new responsibilities.

In the early 1900s, the government created new agencies to regulate the economy, protect the environment, and provide social services. These agencies were given broad powers, and they were not subject to the same checks and balances as the traditional branches of government.

As these agencies grew in power, they began to erode the Constitution. They issued regulations that violated the Bill of Rights, and they prosecuted people who exercised their constitutional rights.

The growth of big government accelerated after World War II. The government created new programs to provide healthcare, education, and other social services. These programs were often funded by taxes, which took money out of the pockets of the people.

As the government grew, it became increasingly difficult to maintain the balance of power between the government and the people. The government became more powerful, while the people became less free.

Threats to Individual Freedoms

The growth of big government has led to a number of threats to individual freedoms. These threats include:

* The erosion of the Bill of Rights * The rise of the administrative state * The militarization of law enforcement * The growth of the surveillance state

The Bill of Rights is the first ten amendments to the Constitution. These amendments guarantee our most basic freedoms, such as the freedom of speech, the freedom of religion, and the right to bear arms.

In recent years, the Bill of Rights has been eroded by a number of government policies. For example, the government has used the Patriot Act to justify spying on its citizens without a warrant. The government has also prosecuted people who exercise their right to free speech, such as protesters and journalists.

The administrative state is a term used to describe the unelected bureaucracy that has grown up around the traditional branches of government. These agencies are given broad powers, and they are not subject to the same checks and balances as the traditional branches of government.

The rise of the administrative state has led to a number of threats to individual freedoms. For example, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued regulations that restrict our ability to use our land and water. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued regulations that restrict our access to safe and effective drugs.

The militarization of law enforcement is a term used to describe the use of military equipment and tactics by police officers. This trend has led to a number of abuses, such as the use of excessive force against protesters and the killing of innocent people.

The growth of the surveillance state is a term used to describe the government's ability to track our movements and communications. This trend has been enabled by advances in technology, such as facial recognition software and data mining.

The growth of the surveillance state poses a serious threat to our privacy. The government can now track our every move, and it can store this information indefinitely. This information can be used to blackmail us, to harass us, or to control us.

The growth of big government in America is a serious threat to our freedoms. If we do not act to stop the growth of big government, we will lose the freedoms that we have fought for and defended for centuries.

We must demand that our government respect the Constitution and limit its power. We must also be vigilant in defending our freedoms against government encroachment.

The future of our freedom depends on it.

Liberty Lost: American Big Government and the Erosion of the U.S. Constitution: A Brief History

by Michael Dahlen

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1682 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	61 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE