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Politics : Dutch Central Bank Sale Announcement Imminent?
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To: sea_urchin who wrote (14423)6/14/2002 4:49:54 PM
From: Alan Whirlwind  Read Replies (2) of 80899
 
Searle, the article you posted brings up substantial issues that my country has struggled with since its foundations. Do we follow the dictates of the Federalist papers and such legends as Henry Clay and have a strong central government with a nationalist flavor to safeguard the populace from "invasions from without and insurrections from within" as our Declaration so succinctly puts it, or should we hold to the ideals of say a John Calhoun who saw the country as much better served in the form of a loose confederation of states opposing a tyrannical central government.

A strong Federal government has its advantages, the primary one being the fast development of infrastructure uniting the states in travel, shipping and communication. The drawbacks are the leaving the door open for uncontrolled taxation, invasions of liberty, and Orwellian demise of freedom.

If you read about WWI, WWII, and the Civil War, you will see a repeated pattern of substantial liberties taken away, then later restored in times of peace. I suppose the worry is we can't always depend on the liberties being restored.

Personally I find there is more freedom now than say 20 years ago. The IRS has been partially defanged and our federal storm troopers have mud all over their faces because of their repeated bungling. There are more job opportunities and it is easier to move around. The hiddeous inheritance tax has been greatly moderated. Contact among citizens is much easier and comparatively almost free due to technological advances. Fireworks are available to Wisconsin citizens--wasn't the case when I was young. Speed limit is 65 (one can drive 70 without any worry) on the interstate--15 years ago the speed limit for the entire sstate was 55 and most of the interstate I frequently use now did not then exist. Cup's half full for me.

Travel by car is unimpeded. Air travel is a hassle, but was one anyway because of full flights and long lines in the past. I am assuming that eventually the feds will see the stupidity and perversity of searching old ladies underwear and young female flight attendants' bras for terrorist weapons. I am also hoping for the return of air ship travel to compete with the hopeless airlines.

Now as for a visitor from another country--we have been very liberal with the visas because we are a free country. But I have no qualms about holding conspirators or denying visas from citizens of hostile countries such as Saudi Arabia.

I do lean with Calhoun, however, and am watchful of what my gubment does.
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