Is the National Federal Government too Powerful, or too weak?

bc_huynh82 · 12-18-2006, 06:56 PM

I am working on a paper and would like to know where you stand on this. Any feedback would be great. Thanks!

Is the National Federal Government too powerful, or too weak?

R-Type · 12-19-2006, 04:43 PM

um.. do I get to claim any liens on your degree when you graduate?

bc_huynh82 · 12-21-2006, 02:27 PM

No

... I finish my paper two days ago.

thanks...

Scrum · 12-22-2006, 09:01 AM

Originally Posted by bc_huynh82

No ... I finish my paper two days ago.

thanks...

Well you did post this in the wrong forum.

Dumpy Dooby · 12-22-2006, 01:48 PM

The Antifederalists were actually federalists. The Federalists were actually nationalists. The Articles of Confederation set up a form of government that coincided with federalism. That was scratched after 13yrs and then the United States Constitution coincided with nationalism. We are a nation, not a federation. We are no longer "these united States." We are now "The United States." (note lowercase 'u' and 'these/the')

I just figured I would point that out.

BigRob · 03-08-2007, 04:27 PM

Originally Posted by Dumpy Dooby

The Antifederalists were actually federalists. The Federalists were actually nationalists. The Articles of Confederation set up a form of government that coincided with federalism. That was scratched after 13yrs and then the United States Constitution coincided with nationalism. We are a nation, not a federation. We are no longer "these united States." We are now "The United States." (note lowercase 'u' and 'these/the')

I just figured I would point that out.

Don't forget we're not a Democracy but a Representative Republic.

Thorgrim · 03-08-2007, 05:42 PM

Originally Posted by BigRob

Don't forget we're not a Democracy but a Representative Republic.

All Republicans have representatives, you're just repeating yourself

What you are saying is that "we're a republic, not a democracy" which is a poor semantics argument, anyone born in the United States who does not commit a felony can vote once they're 18...for positions in the judiciary, legislative and executive, the people can also make state ballot initiatives and re-calls

The only way to win the argument is to twist democracy in such a way that it never existed on the planet

BigRob · 03-08-2007, 09:09 PM

Federalist No. 48 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"The paper offers a number of reasons why legislative over-reaching is more likely in a "representative republic", as distinct from other types of government."

Representative Republic

The United States government is not an absolute or pure democracy. According to our Constitution, we have a representative democratic republic.

OK so the second one adds democratic in the middle.

RMNIXON · 03-08-2007, 10:19 PM

It simply means we vote for people who have the real power to legislate and make policy. A pure Democracy would mean the entire public would be able debate and vote on such issues. That is only be practicle on a very small scale. So we are by definition a Representative Republic and our leadership is elected by a Democratic process.

Thorgrim · 03-08-2007, 10:30 PM

Originally Posted by RMNIXON

It simply means we vote for people who have the real power to legislate and make policy. A pure Democracy would mean the entire public would be able debate and vote on such issues. That is only be practicle on a very small scale. So we are by definition a Representative Republic and our leadership is elected by a Democratic process.

Then what's representative democracy...and we already DO debate and vote on policy issues...its called ballot initiatives

Democracy has several types, some are direct, and with the rise of the internet we're on the track to get there on some issues, i look forward to cast my ballot online and my printer printing out a proof of vote, and then later, making online petitions that turn into bills that americans can securely vote on...

RMNIXON · 03-08-2007, 10:46 PM

Originally Posted by Thorgrim

Then what's representative democracy...and we already DO debate and vote on policy issues...its called ballot initiatives

What are you talking about?

I thought the debate was about the nature of National Government, not a ballot process preserved in States Rights, so as long as the results are not Unconstitutional? In California Ballot measures must also comply with the State Constitution.

BigRob · 03-09-2007, 07:03 AM

^^^^^ Yeah Thorgrim, what he said ^^^^

grembert · 03-09-2007, 09:53 AM

The question of how powerful the federal government is, depends somewhat on positions taken by the political parties. From about 1960 to 2000 the Republican party promoted a more limited federal government. Remember Ronald Reagan - " the government is not the solution, the government is the problem ". Today neither of the major parties is trying to limit federal power.( Two days ago my computer wasn't working right and my wife said that the government was causing it because of some things I wrote on this site - it makes you think )