1787 to 2024
The Power Rests With the States
A small part of the country believes that states have too much power. That more power should be turned over to the Federal government. The Constitution ensures the states kept most of the power to prevent our country from becoming a monarchy or dictatorship.
The tenth amendment addresses the delegation of power:
“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.”
The last word is “People” because the people, not the president or congress or the Supreme Court, should have overall power. Each state has its own history and, for lack of a better term, unique outlook on the rights of its residents. We enjoy the freedom to live in a state that mirrors what we want in our lives. To remove that freedom by allowing the federal government to control by a "one size fits all” mentality would change the very fabric of this country and remove the freedoms and rights that we enjoy.
An example is the Abortion issue. The Supreme Court returned it to the States, meaning people, to resolve. Each state is now tackling that issue, with the voters determining the law. It is the perfect example of how our Constitution should work. It is messy and heated but, in the end, it is the will of the people not the bureaucrats in the Federal Government. It is a lot easier to move to a different state, not so for moving out of this country.
A Little History
James Madison, who is probably best known for writing the Federalist papers, was concerned about using term limits or elections to manage the composition of congress. The Federalist papers are really a series of letters written by the writers of the Constitution. The letters were in response to concerns that arose after the Constitution was drafted. It is a great source to see how this great document was formed. Madison, and others, expressed that having people who had experience with government would be the best for the country, so he “relied” (my term, not his) on the voters to remove nonperformers. Madison's belief has been negated by voting district maps and voter apathy that allows for terms of service lasting between 20 to 5o years and a disconnect between representatives and us.
The drafters of our Constitution wanted the people, not the government, to have control over their lives and the country. The President and the Supreme Court are not allowed to amend the Constitution. The Executive branch can recommend changes to the Constitution while the Supreme Court can rule on laws based on the Constitution. But the writers of the Constitution ensured that only the elected officials that represent us can change our Constitution. Those two elected bodies are Congress and the State Legislators.
James Madison, who wrote part of the Federalist papers, was concerned that term limits would hurt how Congress would function. However…
District Voting Maps
Madison never foresaw that politicians would draw district voting maps to keep their party in control allowing the same person to win, sometimes for decades. Some elections run with no challengers because it is so hard to flip the seat. Drawing maps to ensure a party win is a threat to democracy by giving a guaranteed advantage to the candidate from that party.
Almost every year there are challenges to voting district maps that favor one party over the other. Why should we have to deal with this issue?
Two Party System is Not Part of the Constitution
Madison, along with Thomas Jefferson, hoped that a two-party system would not be established. Today only seven percent of voting districts are still a toss-up on elections. 93 percent of the country is almost locked in to vote either for republican or democrat. Why? Because we have a two-party system with the party in power drawing the maps. Once elected that person is almost guaranteed reelection and they leave office on their terms, not those of the voters.
Madison and Jefferson’s concerns were seen in the 2024 election where numerous lawsuits (brought forward by BOTH parties) trying to bar any third party from running a presidential candidate. If trying to silence people who do not follow the two-party line is not scary enough to act, then America may one day become a dictatorship. All candidates should have the right to run regardless of political beliefs.
Money Buys Access
I believe Madison would be amazed at the access the wealthy, because of their fortunes, have to all elected officials. They buy access while our voices go unheard. Politicians may surround themselves with angry protesters or crying moms to get that photo op, but at the end of the day money gets their attention over our voices.
Mega Rich, Special Interest Groups and Out-of-State Donations Impact on Elections
Madison did not know that elections would be influenced by the millions of dollars donated by PACs, two Political Parties, Corporations and Unions just to get their candidate elected. There are laws on limiting campaign contributions, but the above groups always seem to donate huge amounts. He did not foresee that people would be asked to contribute to country-wide elections just to ensure one party wins as many congressional seats as possible. A certain billionaire recently pledged 60 million for elections in 2022. Not just for his state but across the country. He wants one party control of the country. This is becoming routine.
State residents and corporations/unions headquartered in that state, should be the single source for donations, if they choose, for state elections and their congressional representatives.
Social Media and the Internet
The internet, social media and emerging AI are part of our way of life. Not so for Madison. He could never foresee such a powerful tool being used to manipulate the vote. You see it every day when you complete a search for any product. Suddenly you are bombarded with ads for that product. This is now becoming standard practice in elections. You see enough negative ads, no matter the accuracy, your brain will register it as a negative. Same for positive ads. A silent form of manipulation. Tech giants are now warning of the manipulative impact that AI will have on elections.
Caucuses in Congress
Madison probably never saw the extreme rise of Caucuses in Congress. There are over 400 Caucuses in Congress all representing a special interest or segment of society.
How can our representatives support a caucus they joined and still represent the people of the state? If there is a disparity does the representative support their voters or the caucus?
The response should be all the voters, not a special interest disguised as a caucus.